State Senator Jim Mehlhaff told Dakota News Now that he believes if South Dakota tells someone they’re open for business, we should honor our word in reference to House Bill 1052:

“My concern is the chilling effect that will have on South Dakota as a business-friendly state. You make all the changes to make it impossible to complete their project and have to walk away from all that money, I think it’ll be generations before anybody will invest a nickel in this state,” Mehlhaff (R) Pierre said.

Mehlhaff added that he will be working hard with his caucus to oppose the bill as it goes through the Senate.

Read that here.

Not an unreasonable position. At all.

Unfortunately, that line of logic was read by the person who a commenter recently dubbed the Pipeline Greta Thunberg who declared his position was obscene!

In other words, how dare he say such an obscene thing! About refusing to change the rules mid-stream.

Already a long session.

From Facebook, State Representative Karla Lems has chirped up with regards to her involvement in the contest for Governor in 2026. Some may even take it as an expression that she might get involved herself as a candidate:

Don’t forget that Lems was the one who provided money behind a Kevin Jensen PAC that dumped $20,000 in 2022 races, including money for Governor Kristi Noem’s opponent Steve Haugaard:

The Political Action Committee noted donations to a number of candidates, including Schoenbeck Senate opponent Colin Paulsen, Gubernatorial wannabe Steve Haugaard, and Doug Post for District 7.

and..

This would be the same Karla Lems who was a founding member of the “Primary John Thune” facebook group that started loudly, but ended up only able to produce Bruce Whalen and Mark Mowry as their champions.  And the same Karla Lems who is currently a candidate running to be a District 16 State Representative alongside the PAC Treasurer, Kevin Jensen.

Read that here.

Stay tuned.

The Minnehaha GOP met on Jan 30, and among the items discussed such as why did the prior group spend money on PAC’s, and send money outside the county..

..the group also moved forward the Minnehaha County Republican GOP Executive Board’s code of conduct, which talks about treating people with civility and “ to resolve conflicts constructively.”

Obviously, they’re trying to turn a chapter from the prior board.

Although I’m not sure anybody is paying attention to the “do not disclose confidential information” part yet.

Oops. Did someone violate a rule by sending this?

My response to HB 1052
by State Rep. Kent Roe

Several people, from several groups and on both sides of the issue, have asked me to explain my vote on HB 1052, the eminent domain law. I found both positive and negative views represented within District 4 on a near equal keel. This response may be lengthy, but the impact of this HB 1052, and its forthcoming sister HB 1085, have reverberating impacts and likely consequences on far more than just CO₂.

I voted against HB 1052. HB 1052 passed the house 49 – 19. The senate will take up their version soon. I also commend Speaker Hansen on his handling of floor debate.

In South Dakota, we didn’t cause this problem. The federal government did through tax credits. The ethanol industry can either adapt or lose. I’d at minimum like to give them the ability to adapt rather than forever deny access to a potential revenue booster. All corn farmers, and by extension the whole economy is lifted. Small towns, communities and schools benefit the most. District 4 is all farms, small towns and communities.

Zoning boards tell you permissible uses of your land. The SD PUC is largely a zoning board. We all abide by zoning or face the consequences of offending the rules.

I, and several of my employees, formerly handled CO₂ on a daily basis. We also handled explosive and flammable products. The threat to personal safety is real. We trusted decades of safety measures in place. Pipeline safety, and more specifically CO₂ pipeline and handling safety, are both robust and overarching.

I’d compare it to the threats we accept through everyday driving down the road, heating our homes, powering our utilities, flying in an airplane, and any other threat. Pipelines are not only economical, but incredibly safe. Every day we benefit from this safety and trustworthiness. Whether it’s the tank farm in the middle of town fed by a pipeline, the large pipelines transporting hydrocarbons, or the very gas pipelines buried in the rights of ways which then are further routed right into our very homes. The threat of pipeline failure is undeniably real. I cannot deny that threat no more than I can deny the threat of dust in my eye. I live comfortably with both of these, and several other nearly innumerable, risks.

The bill uses the term “carbon oxide”. This is a broad term. In floor testimony it was unclear what the definition of “carbon oxide” is. The term “carbon oxide” is borrowed from current federal sustainable energy language. Floor testimony defined it as: “any molecule containing carbon and oxygen bonded to each other.” This definition, “carbon oxide”, is simply too broad of a definition. If you mean CO₂, just say so.

The Trump administration supports & promotes energy independence. CO₂ is likely in the toolbox for this goal, and I support its potential use for fracking. Outlawing an entire enterprise to thwart this effort reflects badly on long term plans and big idea thinking. If we want to close South Dakota to big ideas and entrepreneurs, we’ve now very loudly sacrificed the first of, and likely many more, industries.

I also have constitutional concerns. The 5^th amendment to the US Constitution addresses eminent domain providing “due process” and “just compensation”. HB 1052 likely also offends the Interstate Commerce Clause of the US Constitution. The Commerce Clause is Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the US Constitution. It gives Congress the power to regulate commerce between states, with foreign countries, and with Native American tribes. The clause also limits the ability of states to restrict interstate commerce. If the feds jump in and make a ruling that overrides HB 1052, South Dakota will lose the contest. But not before spending South Dakota taxpayer money defending HB 1052.

HB 1052 completely disregards local control. It took an enterprise agreed to by approximately 75% of impacted landowners (i.e. “local control”) and discounted their input, threw the idea to non-impacted parties, and said this impacts people in counties that have no ethanol industry and/or no corn production and/or no pipeline.

HB 1052 also changes rules midway through the process. I cannot imagine starting a new enterprise knowing the process could be changed if my impending idea is unpopular, that South Dakota will just pass a law if unpopular. This creates a precedent that will impact future industries from choosing South Dakota as a state open to new ideas.

During floor testimony the impact on ethanol value, and by extension corn value, was raised. In mid-January, the value of low carbon index (CI) ethanol was +31¢ per gallon in the ethanol market. This equates to roughly +93¢ per bushel on corn. Some producers have commented that this is not meaningful to their operation; however, I’ve talked to several who disagree and would welcome this added value to their corn. In District 4 I’ve heard yield results of 150+ bushels per acre. This 93¢ per bushel adds up.

My vote on HB 1052 was No, and my view on the upcoming HB 1085 is No.

If eminent domain laws need changing, let’s proceed with the process. Targeting specific industry is the wrong approach. I fully expect the votes on HB 1085 to be a carbon copy of the vote on HB 1052. I refuse to support legislation that is both vague & arbitrary in its language, punitive in its intent, and dispiriting to entrepreneurs regardless of their industry. Let’s keep South Dakota open to business.

What was the line of defense back in October?:

Robinson’s video speech occurred during the Dakota First Action political action committee’s Victory Gala. Toby Doeden, an Aberdeen businessman and founder of Dakota First Action, said his fellow Republicans who are condemning Robinson are hurting the party.

“CNN has no substantive proof,” Doeden said.

Read that here.

From twitter yesterday.. maybe CNN wasn’t so far off the mark:

Mark Robinson drops CNN lawsuit, vows not to run for office again https://t.co/JsrAT9g0eq

— The Hill (@thehill) January 31, 2025

Robinson faced pressure to drop out of the governor’s race after the CNN report. He filed a case against CNN in October seeking $50 million in damages but decided to drop the lawsuit after losing the governorship to Democrat Josh Stein.

Robinson said his political ambitions are now botched.

“I will continue to utilize my platform to promote and support many of the issues we are all so passionate about; however, at this time, I will do so from the sidelines. I will not run next year, nor do I have plans to seek elected office in the future,” he wrote on X.

Read that at The Hill.

Johnson Invites Trump, Burgum to Host Independence Day Fireworks at Mount Rushmore 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) invited the President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to host a fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore for Independence Day. The last celebration with fireworks at Mount Rushmore was in 2020, during President Trump’s first administration.

“Celebrating our nation’s independence at the foot of Mount Rushmore is quintessentially American,” said Johnson. “Whether it’s fireworks, drones, lasers, or something else, a show brings another level of energy to the patriotic celebration. I hope President Trump and Secretary Burgum can join the festivities at our historic national landmark.”

Johnson has been supportive of fireworks celebrations at Mount Rushmore in previous years and has attended past Independence Day events at the monument.

Read the full letter here.

###

Let Me Introduce Myself
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
January 31, 2025

This past week, I started out in a new job. After six years serving as your lieutenant governor, I had the opportunity to shorten my title. I’d like to take some time to share some things you might not know about me.

I have a wonderful wife named Sandy who I have been married to for nearly 44 years. I wouldn’t be here today without her support and encouragement. Together, we have four sons, four daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren: Jesse and Sarah and their children Ladd, Sully, and Gus; Cody and Liz and their children Tally and Josey; Reggie and Jennifer and their son Lincoln; and Tristen and Kalen and their daughter Birkin.

I’m a fifth-generation South Dakotan. My father’s grandfather, Allen Rhoden, came to a place in western South Dakota called Chalkbutte in 1907. My mother was a Murphy. Her family came west on horses and wagons and homesteaded in the Two Rivers area, about 20 miles west of Union Center. Some of the original foundations of my family’s homesteads still stand today.

My dad was named Allen after his grandfather. He and my mom, Mildred, raised five kids. My twin sister, Lorie, and I are the fourth and fifth. Mom and Dad taught us the importance of faith in Jesus Christ, and faith is still central in my life.

My parents also taught us the value of work. Hard work is part of life on the ranch. Even today, I’m still happiest when I’m working with my hands. There’s value in working to create something from start to finish.

Service in the military has always been a big part of my family. My great-great-great grandfather came to American with General Lafayette to fight in the Revolutionary War, and his four brothers all died in the Revolution. My grandfather, John, served in World War I and fought in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. My dad served in World War II and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Two of my brothers served in the Army, one of them in Vietnam. And my son Cody was a Black Hawk pilot.

So when I came of age, I signed up for the South Dakota National Guard and served for six years. As a former Guardsman, it is a great honor to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the South Dakota National Guard.

I’ve also been active in my community around Union Center. I’ve been a leader in our church. I served on the board at our local Cenex. For several years, I coached women’s softball and boys’ basketball. I still sing bass in a men’s quartet. And I served five years on the Meade County school board.

I got elected to the State Legislature in 2001 and served there for 16 years, including in various leadership positions. In 2018, Kristi Noem asked me to be her running mate. We won that election and were reelected in 2022, so I served six years as her Lieutenant Governor before rising to the office of Governor just a short time ago.

I promise you that I am prepared for this job and understand the gravity of the responsibility that has been placed on me. Serving the people of South Dakota in this capacity will be the great honor of my life. I promise to lead with civility, openness, responsiveness, and the common-sense conservative values that have made South Dakota so great.

I would like to make one request of each of you. Please pray for me and for my family. We all work hard and try to do our best, but we are nothing without the help of the Good Lord. Thank you. May God continue to bless the great state of South Dakota.

###

Medicare Advantage Helps Meet the Needs of South Dakota’s Aging Population
by Bill Cohen, MD

South Dakota’s older population is growing—and quickly. According to projections by a state demographer and South Dakota State University professor, adults over the age of 65 will surpass 20% of our state’s population by 2030. To ensure our communities can meet the complex needs of this growing part of our population, access to affordable, high-quality, comprehensive health care is critical.

That is why programs like Medicare Advantage are so important. Medicare Advantage is the public-private form of Medicare that more than half of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries choose to enroll in because of the broad range of health care services, support programs, and supplement benefits it provides.

Through Medicare Advantage, patients can access dental, vision, and hearing services not covered by traditional Medicare—as well as some more innovative offerings like fitness and wellness programs, nutrition benefits, and preventative care. Moreover, with capped annual out-of-pocket costs, Medicare Advantage patients often end up paying less in medical expenses than those enrolled in traditional Medicare.

Given the vital role this program plays in serving some of our nation’s most vulnerable, at-risk patients, it should be something that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can agree is worth protecting. Yet, under Biden Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) imposed years of consecutive cuts to program, threatening benefits and increasing premiums for patients.

Importantly, CMS’ Advance Notice released in the final days of the Biden Administration seems to be an attempt to do the right thing, albeit a little late and not quite enough to make much of a difference. In their Advance Notice for 2026, CMS proposed a very slight payment increase. While this is mildly welcome news after the years of cuts Medicare Advantage has endured, there is still more work for lawmakers to do to ensure the long-term success of this vitally important program – with healthcare costs on the rise, and a lot of damage already done by previous years’ cuts. The Republican trifecta must recognize the reality that seniors and their families are looking to them to help protect and strengthen Medicare Advantage—not just in 2026, but for years to come.

Polling in the run-up to Election Day 2024 shows how important this program is to those who use it to access the health care services they need. 86% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries would be less likely to vote for a Member of Congress who supported cutting funding for MA.

Regardless of who takes the lead, all our lawmakers should be working to keep Medicare Advantage strong so the program can continue to grow along with our aging population. Particularly for states like South Dakota, where our older population is growing at a rapid

Medicare Advantage is absolutely necessary to ensure access to high-quality, affordable, and reliable health care for those who need it most.

—-

Dr. Bill Cohen is a board-certified pain relief specialist and founder of American Pain Relief Institute.

This is a weird one that seems to not just inch up to the line, but goes over it in trying to confuse Republican Party donors.

Central Dakota Republican Women Federal PAC by Pat Powers on Scribd

Leaders of an auxiliary republican women’s group in South Central South Dakota have apparently created a federal PAC for purposes of raising and spending money in federal races. But the problem is on the application for the Federal PAC, they’re directly saying it has nothing to do with the Republican Party while invoking the Republican Party’s name.

According to paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission and made available via the FEC website today, despite deceptively titling themselves as the “Central Dakota Republican Women,” this group helmed by Connie Wagner and Trudy Qualm of Platte, SD, submitted the paperwork to the federal government noting on the form that under the laws governing PACs that “this committee supports/opposes more than one Federal candidate, and is NOT a separate segregated fund or party committee.”

In other words, as leaders of the local Republican women’s club, they’ve created their own private federal political action committee slush fund, given it a name that makes it seem affiliated with the SD Federation of Republican Women or the Republican party at-large, yet will do whatever they want since they declared that to the FEC that it is NOT a …party committee.

This brings up some serious questions. How much money are they going to try to divert from legitimate Republican candidates and groups to their private slush fund? Are they going to try to fool donors to just the Republican Women, or all they trying to hoodwink all Republican Donors to build their piggy bank?  And who do they intend to use the funds for/against? Because if they want to donate to an indy candidate like Justin McNeal in the last election, they have no barriers to doing so.

Not to mention that in filing with the FEC, they’re not playing in South Dakota campaign finance with few rules, and easily forgiven errors. They’re playing in federal campaigning where most people work with attorneys specializing in this sort of thing. And even then, people screw up and it’s very costly.

It is very noteworthy that PAC treasurer Trudy Qualm is also the spouse of SDGOP Chair wannabee Lee Qualm. Which given that this group is falsely titling themselves a Republican Women’s group while declaring on the paperwork that they’re not, it brings it up as a factor in his campaign.  Because if he’s running for party chair, why is his wife filing paperwork to set up a private Federal PAC and pretending to be a fake Republican group?

We can hope that the SDFRW or State Republican Party will get involved so as to not let this PAC lead donors to implied conclusions that could not be farther from the truth.

Apparently Netflix is laying the groundwork to bring the Laura Ingalls Wilder “Little House on the Prairie” books back to television as a new streaming series that now has the green light:

According to Variety, Netflix recently greenlit a modern reboot of the American classic book series, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie, which was a hit NBC show in the 70s, starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Wanting to adapt the books more closely as a long-time fan of Wilder’s work, Sonnenshine will act as showrunner and executive producer of the new Western series. Sonnenshine told the outlet how she hopes to honor both fans of the books and of the TV show.

and..

With more than 73 million copies of the beloved books being sold to date and over 200 episodes of the original NBC series, the new take on the classic is bound to draw a crowd. The original series was even one of the most streamed shows of 2024, according to Variety.

Read that all here.

No immediate information is available on when the series is expected to air.

That has to be good news for future DeSmet SD tourism, home of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, and the Ingalls homestead.