I was extremely happy this past week to receive the pins I won the bid for on ebay for some SD Inaugural pins, one of which I was missing for my collection.

The 1953 Sigurd Anderson Pin is actually a challenging Inaugural to find, and it has taken me a long time to get one in the wild to put back into my collection. If you’re in Pierre, you’ll recognize the Sigurd Anderson Building named for this former Governor, across the street from the Capitol.

There was a downside to the pin find.. it came with a large group of pins, including a couple of tough pins to find; the ’41 Bushfield, and the equally challenging ’45 M. Q. Sharpe pin.

And predictably, that wasn’t lost on competing bidders, as they took me about to the limits of what I was willing to pay.  It was not at all a bad price for the group, but a healthy sum for the one pin I wanted.

I did have a plan for a brief moment where I figured that I could recoup my expenses, sell off the duplicates, and maybe even make it a revenue neutral or moneymaking acquisition..

Until my daughter Sydney asked to have her pick before I did anything like that.  And it is her birthday tomorrow… well, dang it.  Best laid plans.. but I can’t fault my daughter for finding South Dakota political history interesting, she comes by it honestly.

At some point in the near future, I’m going to do some downsizing and have a sale of extras, as soon as I can find them. Which might be an indication that it’s time to downsize.

In the meantime, this leaves me 2 inaugural pins to find; the near impossible first one, and I need a large 1975 Kneip pin whenever I can come across it, and then my inaugural pin quest is complete. Which will leave me to chase state capital fight items.

Stay tuned.

Delivering Wins for Agriculture

MADISON–The Legislature is nearing the end of session and we remain focused on working to find resolution on some of the major policy issues in the state and finalizing a balanced budget for the state’s next fiscal year.

The future success of ethanol, corn markets in South Dakota and carbon dioxide sequestration have been major topics of debate in the Capitol last year and again this year.  House Majority Leader Will Mortenson and I introduced SB 201 to find a path forward for South Dakota in what has been an emotional issue related to private property rights and the proposed carbon pipeline.  SB 201 is a comprehensive solution that protects landowner rights and establishes clear infrastructure guardrails. 

When South Dakota farmers succeed, all of South Dakota succeeds, and that cuts both ways. When South Dakota farmers have limited access to national and global markets, our whole state suffers. A rising tide lifts all boats, and that’s why I am committed to legislation like SB 201 that fosters a brighter future for all of South Dakota.

I want South Dakota to have some of the strongest landowner protections in the nation, and that’s why we’re working on a compromise package. What SB 201 does is set standards in state law for linear utility projects to abide by, specifically CO2 pipelines. It allows counties to levy a surcharge on CO2 pipelines that could equate to $3.5 million each year for counties hosting the proposed pipeline. It also requires land agents to be South Dakota based, CO2 pipeline operators to repair drain tile, and establishes penalties for safety failures for operators.

SB 201 also clarifies state law where federal preemption voids any state or local safety standards or setbacks. South Dakota is open for business, which means we don’t set up roadblocks for projects through regulation, red tape, excessive fees, and indefinite timelines. We provide fairness and certainty in the process for landowners and businesses. State law should reflect federal standards and remove uncertainty for counties on actions that would result in lawsuits that will cost taxpayers money. Our farmers and communities deserve better than sham lawsuits that drag out projects and cost taxpayers legal fees. Let’s put money in the pockets of farmers, not lawyers.

Related to ethanol, I joined Gov. Noem, farmers and ethanol producers for the bill signing ceremony of SB 78. This bill helps incentivize gas stations to offer E15 and bolster our ag industry. Ethanol plants buy 64% of the corn grown in the state, supporting 11,00 family farms and 30,000 jobs. I want to see more homegrown fuel sold and used in South Dakota. It’s good for farmers and consumers.

Earlier this week, I was proud to support HCR 6008 discouraging voters from adopting the radical pro-abortion ballot measure paid for by out-of-state special interest groups. South Dakota is a state that values the life of the unborn. Alternating the state’s constitution to allow late-term abortions, remove parental awareness and override existing conscience protections that were enacted for healthcare providers is extreme and frankly, it’s immoral. 

The Senate and House enjoyed the service of pages from District 8–Chester, Arlington and two from Howard. These four have bright futures and we are grateful for their help in the Capitol. If you know a high schooler interested in government and public service, encourage them to apply to page in a future year.

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Attorney General Jackley Joins Coalition Supporting Trump’s Presidential Immunity Stay Request to U.S. Supreme Court

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 21 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief that supports former President Donald Trump’s stay request regarding presidential immunity to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Former President Trump has asked the Supreme Court to stay a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit which said Trump could not invoke presidential immunity as a defense against criminal charges related to the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the U.S. Capitol.

The special prosecutor in the case is also seeking a quick decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Trump’s stay request so the trial can start this year. The initial trial set was set for this March.

“These are serious charges, and a defendant, even one who is a candidate for President, deserves a right to have time to prepare an adequate defense,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The Attorneys General do not believe that speeding up the legal process for political reasons would be appropriate.”

Attorneys Generals also have signed on from the states of Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The brief can be read here:

Heard a rumor that is rocketing around among politicos this weekend with regards to the really unusual event of Steve Haugaard headlining the Butte County Lincoln Day Dinner on March 2.

Aside from the fact that the speaking engagement isn’t going to draw anyone but the furthest right of the far right, a rumor keeps going around that an announcement will be made in Butte County that – and again, this is just rumor at this point, but the claim is Haugaard is supposedly using the occasion to announce the start of a run for Attorney General in 2026.

I’m not sure how a person can really assess that water cooler chatter.

Is this supposedly coming off of Haugaard’s representation of Julie Frye Mueller? Because I don’t think that went too well for them. Would it be seeking a bounce from his previous effort(s) to run for statewide office? Again, something that didn’t end so well.

I talked to one politico who had heard it from three different sources today so I don’t know if it’s just circulating that quickly secondhand through the winter inhabitants of the state capital, or there is actual substance to it.

Put me down as a doubting Thomas, because I think the notion of Steve Haugaard running for AG is pretty silly. It would be like R. Shawn Tornow announcing he was running because you don’t have to be an attorney to be attorney general.

But given what’s happening with some members of the GOP lately, I can’t discount anything.

Attorney General Jackley Warns Public About Medicare Telephone Scam

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning the public to be careful about telephone calls they receive threatening to take away a person’s Medicare benefits.

The South Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received calls from citizens in recent weeks who say they have received telephone calls from scammers purporting to be from Medicare. The callers will demand the person to provide their Medicare number and if not, threaten to stop their benefits.

“This is not a new scam, but it is a relentless one,” said Attorney General Jackley. “These scammers will do anything they can to convince the person to disclose personal or financial information, including their Medicare numbers. Please remember that the official Medicare office does not call people.”

The Consumer Protection Division recommends that consumers:

*** Never provide their financial or personal information to someone via the telephone.

*** If they receive such a call from a number that does not show up on caller ID, hang up and contact the businesses directly using a known number, not the number showing up on caller ID.

*** Never accept back, knee or wrist braces that are mailed to them, but that they have not ordered. Medicare will require the consumer to pay for the brace even if they didn’t order it.

Consumers who believe they may have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986.

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The Freedom to Work
By: Governor Kristi Noem
February 16, 2024

In South Dakota, we respect the Freedom to Work. That is what America was built on. We each have the Freedom to get up every morning and to provide for ourselves and our families. That’s the American Dream. South Dakotans continuously remind the rest of the country the value of hard work and the dignity it brings.

There are few professions where hard work, dedication, and passion are as significant as law enforcement. South Dakota is already the Freest state in America – I’m determined to make it the safest, too. The best way to do that is by putting more law enforcement officers on our streets.  The goal of our newest Freedom Works Here ad is to recruit more law enforcement officers to South Dakota. You can view “33 in a 65” here.

I always say that South Dakotans are some of the hardest working people I know. We still understand the value of hard work. And my goal as Governor has never been to create a government that does everything for people, but to create a government that empowers our people to do things for themselves.

When the pandemic hit and many states closed down, South Dakotans kept working. While other states were experiencing record high unemployment levels, we broke the national record for the lowest state unemployment less than a year ago.

We are creating opportunities for people to get into the career of their dreams. And we’re just getting started.

I knew that if we could just tell our story, Freedom-loving Americans from across the country would want to be a part of what we’re doing here. I knew that we needed to celebrate our success – then take the opportunity to capitalize and build on it. I knew that we had to show all of America that Freedom Works Here.

We are continuing the Freedom Works Here workforce recruitment campaign. This campaign is still less than a year old, and we’ve received thousands of applicants interested in moving to our state just through the program, not counting those who independently made the move. Thousands have already moved here!

After our first round of ads, I had businesses asking me how they could help us keep the campaign going. It quickly became clear that these ads were working, and that we needed to do more.  So we did some research into some of the most-needed professions in South Dakota. The results were professions like electricians, plumbers, welders, and even accountants, so we’ve targeted ads towards those professions.

These ads are so successful because they tell South Dakota’s story.

Our state licensing boards are reporting huge increases of out-of-state applicants seeking licenses in South Dakota – including a 78% increase in plumbers, a 44% increase in electricians, and a 43% increase in accountants. Our labor force has grown by more than 10,000 people in just the last year. Our license recognition bill combined with the microphone of Freedom Works Here is a powerful tandem to fill these much-needed jobs.

That is a story that many people across this country have never heard before.

Folks are moving here in record numbers to become a part of our winning way of life. Californians and New Yorkers have never seen a state like ours – one that trusts our people, and one that embraces and promotes liberty and Freedom.

Freedom Works Here is indisputably the most impactful workforce campaign in South Dakota’s history.

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Safety and Security
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
February 16, 2024

BIG News

This week, I voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. His willful and systemic refusal to follow the laws set by Congress to secure the southern border has created a national security and safety crisis in communities across America, including South Dakota. We have not seen a domestic crisis of this magnitude from a department’s making before. America is less safe because of the drugs and increased crime from illegal immigrants coming across the border. Congress had to act. I hope the Democrat-controlled Senate takes the impeachment seriously and the Administration takes notice and takes steps to secure the border.

Click here or the image above to view remarks from Johnson about his vote to impeach Secretary Mayorkas.

BIG Idea

I met with Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas and Horizon Health Care to talk about federal funding for health centers that support underserved populations, the 340B drug pricing program, and the importance of telehealth. They awarded me the Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate award for my actions in Congress to support Community Health Centers.

BIG Update

Recently, the Biden Administration proposed a ban on new permits for new domestic liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. This is another decision the President made in an effort to advance his climate agenda, but the decision fails to recognize American-made energy is actually cleaner than energy from countries like Russia and Iran. Prohibiting new exports will force our allies to rely on dirtier energy from these adversarial countries, bolstering the economies of enemies instead of ours. Increasing exports could add as much as $73 billion to the U.S. economy and support 453,000 jobs by 2040, but with Biden’s ban, we lose all of that growth opportunity.

This week, I supported the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act when it passed the House so we can continue to grow our LNG exports, ensuring America and our allies can remain energy secure.

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Justin is making us wait for his campaign finance disclosure report.

And you’re probably saying “who’s that?”

Justin. Justin McNeal.. you know who that is, don’t you?  You probably don’t even though he’s been running for Congress since about the 28th of December. According to his bio, Justin McNeal was born in Illinois and was raised in Texas, and moved to the state in 2021. He had some grandparents live here, so of course he thought – I should go to South Dakota and run for Congress. Because everyone does that after they live in the state for two years. You can find his website here, although it appears that it has some disclaimer issues.

Anyway, the point of the post is that Justin is kicking the can down the road with regards to filing his financial disclosure report that all congressional candidates have to do, so it looks like we might be waiting for it until the end of April. Assuming he makes it any farther in the race.

Kudos to McNeal for at least attempting to do some paperwork for the race, as the other guy, Patrick Schubert, hasn’t even gone so far to file anything but declaring his committee in August of last year. You would think that after having tried running in the last election in 2022 against Senator Thune, and tanking epically, not being able to achieve the ballot, he might have gotten his act together this time with 6 months on the trail this time. But, no.

While these guys are still trying to figure things out, current Congressman Dusty Johnson is adding to his total of $3.9 million in the bank to put towards the upcoming election.

I think we can all guess how this is going to go.

Gov. Noem Signs E15 Fuel Tax Refund into Law
Signs Six Other Bills 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem held a bill signing ceremony for SB 78, which provides for an E15 fuel tax refund.

“Renewable fuels are a very important part of America’s all-of-the-above energy supply, and ethanol is vital to South Dakota’s future. The Biden Administration’s policies have driven gas prices up for South Dakotans, and this bill will provide our citizens with needed relief,” said Governor Noem. “It will make higher ethanol blends more readily available, bringing prices down at the pump. We’re committed to an all-of-the-above approach to energy that doesn’t pick winners and losers but lowers prices for all South Dakotans.”

Governor Noem was joined by the bill’s prime sponsors, Senator Casey Crabtree and Representative Drew Peterson, as well as leaders from the state’s ethanol industry. A photo from the bill signing can be found here.

Governor Noem also signed the following six bills into law:

• SB 16 makes appropriations for water and environmental purposes and to declare an emergency;
• SB 28 modifies tax refunds for elderly persons and persons with a disability, to make an appropriation therefor;
• SB 35 provides that certain personal information of a lottery prize winner may only be used for advertising or promotion with the winner’s consent;
• HB 1077 provides for the disbursement of the catastrophic county poor relief fund to the participating counties in the event of the discontinuance of the fund;
• HB 1124 provides for the temporary filling of water development district board positions created as a result of population increases, and;
• HB 1145 modifies brand registration and use laws.

Governor Noem has signed 71 bills into law this legislative session.

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SDEPA Applauds Passing and Signing of E15 Bill

PIERRE, S.D. (February 15, 2024) – South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association applauds Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Legislature for passing Senate Bill 78. This bill provides a five-cent per gallon retail tax incentive for E15, a 15% bioethanol fuel blend.

“Thank you to Governor Kristi Noem, Senate Majority Leader Crabtree, Representative Drew Peterson, and all of South Dakota’s legislators who supported South Dakota drivers and farmers with this bill,” said Walt Wendland, SD Ethanol Producers Association Board President. “It will expand access to E15, which saves consumers money at the pump, bolsters our agricultural industry and state economy, and supports farming families across the state.”

E15 is a high-performance biofuel blend made from South Dakota-grown corn and is compatible with virtually every car, truck and SUV on the road today.

https://sdethanol.com/sdepa-applauds-passing-and-signing-of-e15-bill/