South Dakota Must Strengthen DUI Laws in Wake of Rising Incidents with SAFE ROADS Act
by State Rep. Mary Fitzgerald
District 31, Lawrence County, SD

Drunk driving continues to be a dangerous problem in South Dakota. Data collected from 2021 shows that 5,654 people were arrested in South Dakota for DUI, this was an increase of 12.7% from 2020. The data also showed that twenty four percent of intoxicated drivers were repeat offenders. It’s clear the threat to public safety is both real and growing.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a study by gathering information from states regarding repeat DUI offenders. It showed that one out of eight drunk drivers involved in fatality related crashes had been arrested for drunk driving within the last three years.

In January 2024, I’ll introduce a bill before the South Dakota State legislature to eliminate “presumptive probation” for a third offense felony DUI. Right now, offenders will receive a presumption of probation for this crime. This puts our families at risk when we travel on our roads and highways.

My bill further addresses an inconsistency with our DUI laws. As it stands, the law requires a mandatory two-year prison sentence for a fourth DUI offense, yet a conflicting statute (SDCL 22-6-11) allows for “presumptive probation” for the same crime. My intention is to correct this error by adding that a fourth offense DUI to the list of crimes that are not eligible for presumptive probation; that was the original intent of the law.

Our government’s duty to safeguard its citizens is paramount… and this includes the prevention of avoidable tragedies on our roads and highways. It’s the core obligation of government to protect its citizens and this responsibility includes the prevention of repeat drunk driving crimes.

Rep. Will Mortenson Seeks Re-Election to District 24 House of Representatives

FORT PIERRE, SD – Republican Rep. Will Mortenson announced his intention to run for re-election to the state House of Representatives in District 24, which covers central South Dakota.

“For the last three years, I brought a common sense, conservative approach to the Legislature,” said Mortenson. “I have worked hard, been willing to take firm stands, and always kept my focus on improving South Dakota for generations to come.”

During his time in the legislature, Mortenson has been a recognized leader in supporting education, cutting taxes, and fighting for ag producers and landowners. In his second term, Mortenson was elected by his colleagues to serve as Majority Leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives.

“South Dakota still works,” noted Mortenson. “While other states have gone off the rails, South Dakota has stayed steady. If you send me back to the Capitol, I’ll work every day to keep our state on track.”

Mortenson, 35, is an ag business and estate planning attorney in Fort Pierre. He is active in the a cow- calf operation in northwestern Stanley County. Mortenson is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a lifelong resident of central South Dakota. He and his wife, Shuree, live in Fort Pierre with their two children: Augie and Jules.

Mortenson plans to preview the 2024 legislative session and announce his re-election bid at a campaign kick-off event on Thursday, December 14 from 5 – 7 PM at the St. Charles on Capitol Avenue in Pierre. All interested voters are welcome.

District 24 includes Haakon, Hughes, Hyde, Stanley, and Sully counties. District 24 is also represented in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Weisgram (R-Fort Pierre) and in the Senate by Sen. Jim Mehlhaff (R-Pierre)

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Is it time for Minnehaha county to combine a couple of county offices? Because I’m not sure there’s another mechanism for them to get rid of their crackpot of a county auditor, Leah Anderson.

As the Argus Leader is reporting, not only is Anderson hiring members of an election conspiracy group and putting them in charge of her elections, she’s hosting the same special interest group as part of her meetings with equipment vendors.

Mathis then asked if a “highly respected” person from South Dakota would be able to be present and perform their own inspection, though he did not name who that person would be. In an interview, Anderson said she knew the person’s identity but would not share it, as she had not spoken further with ES&S about the process.

and..

Mathis continued that they’d want the individual to look for modems and do an inspection of the machine.

“Both Leah and I’s reputation is totally on the line. What if it comes out years down the road that there were modems in these machines, and we never — all your studies are great. The people want somebody that they know and trust to do a study. And I do too!”

and..

And so I just want to let you know that especially Monae, you also work for the people, and you haven’t been very supportive of the people.”

At this point, Anderson rotated a nearby laptop, revealing a group of two dozen people, including Weible, who had been listening in on the call from another location, and later gave Anderson a round of applause after the call had ended.

Read the story here.

A ‘secret’ election expert? While she’s broadcasting the meeting to the special interest group she appears to be doing the bidding of? Good lord.

The Secretary of State has certainly made some unforced errors over the course of the last year, but not kowtowing to the demands of election conspiracy groups is not one of them. Especially when they have taken control of the election office in the largest county in the state.

The Minnehaha County Commission needs to do something pretty quick, because looks like their election office is heading for a crash.

Hot out of my email box, Former secretary of state employee Logan Manhart is announcing he will be a candidate for district one house.

Let’s Talk about the “Big Three”
By: Governor Kristi Noem
December 8, 2023

I recently presented my budget to the South Dakota State Legislature. It’s a budget that prioritizes people, not programs. It shows what can be done with smart, conservative fiscal policies. And it focuses on the core responsibilities of state government.

South Dakota has reaped the benefits of conservative policies. Our economy has continued to grow, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t felt the effects of the record-high inflation brought on by federal policies. This year, as we face a more “normal” budget year, I am encouraging the legislature to do exactly what families across America are doing every single day – stick to a tight budget.

National inflation has continued to rise over the past year. State law requires that we increase funding to our K-12 schools at inflation or 3%, whichever is lower. We typically provide the same increase to our healthcare providers and state employees – together, they make the “Big Three.” Well, this year, I am recommending that we go above and beyond the legal requirement. I am proposing that we provide a 4% increase for education, healthcare providers, and state employees.

We are only going to be able to accomplish this increase if we make sure we have our priorities straight. Well, I know where my priorities lie – and it’s with the people of South Dakota.

There’s a reason why the “Big Three” is the “Big Three.” They are the ones who give back to our communities across the state. They are the ones putting in the hard work to make our state the best that it can be. And they are the ones that are creating a better South Dakota for our kids and our grandkids.

By investing 4% in our schools, we will give our school districts the money to pay teachers more. Our teachers are one of the most important factors to set our kids up for a lifetime of success. And we can retain great teachers by paying them what they deserve.

If we want to give our kids the very best opportunity to succeed, we need to set them up for a healthy future.

The 4% increase for our providers is an important step to promote good health for South Dakotans at every age and state of life. This is an increase that doesn’t pick winner and losers. Inflation is impacting all of our providers, so we should provide them all with the relief they so desperately need.

Some of our kids will want to join careers in our state workforce. We need to support our state employees who do so much for the people of South Dakota. They work every day to make this state safer, stronger, and healthier. My budget proposal gives a 4% raise to state employees so that we can continue to attract and retain the best and brightest.

We have the opportunity to show the world what is possible with good, conservative policies – policies that prioritize our kids and our grandkids.

I do not go to work every day for myself. I go to work to serve the people that make this state great. They inspire me. And I pray that we deliver a budget that they can be proud of – a budget that puts them first.

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Final Ballot Explanation Released For Initiated Measure To Legalize Recreational Marijuana and Create Dual-Use Licenses

PIERRE, S.D. – The final ballot explanation for a draft initiated measure, proposed by Emmett Reistroffer of Rapid City, that would legalize recreational marijuana and create dual-use licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries, has been released filed with the Secretary of State by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Marty Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. He has provided a fair and neutral explanation of the proposed initiated measure to help assist the voters.

The proposed initiated measure would allow individuals 21 years old or older to possess, grow, sell, ingest, and distribute marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia. The initiated measure does not affect laws dealing with hemp.  The measure also authorizes the South Dakota Department of Health to issue dual-use licenses to medical marijuana dispensaries.  A dual-use license allows dispensaries to sell marijuana to persons 21 years or older.

The final ballot explanation can be found here.

If the required 17,509 valid signatures are gathered and approved by the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, the proposed initiated measure will be placed on the 2024 general ballot. A majority of the votes cast in the general election will be needed to pass the measure.

The Attorney General’s explanation was drafted after a review of all the comments received during the proposed amendment’s 10-day comment period. A total of six comments were received.

For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.

Hohman Announces Candidacy for District 16 State Senate

CANTON–Eric Hohman today announced his candidacy as a Republican to represent District 16 in the South Dakota State Senate. Raised in southeast South Dakota, Hohman and his family have been active in Lincoln, Union and Turner counties for generations. Hohman is eager to meet area voters and is ready to hit the ground running in Pierre to advocate for the people of District 16.

“District 16 is a microcosm of our South Dakota. With rural and urban needs, industrial and agricultural needs, we need a state senator who reflects our region’s values and can listen to the needs of the constituents,” said Hohman. “I’m the proven leader most able to advocate for agriculture, schools, small towns, rural values, and fight against special interests that could disrupt our way of life.”

Eric and his wife, Mona, have two adult children—Andy and Rachel—and six grandchildren who all reside in the Canton School District. He graduated from Canton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business and Commercial Economics from South Dakota State University as well as a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota.

“South Dakota has given my family and I so much. We are truly blessed,” said Hohman. “I look forward to giving back by representing my neighbors with thoughtful, principled, and conservative leadership. Now is my time to give back, and I humbly ask the voters of District 16 for their support in the 2024 election.”

Hohman’s parents—Dr. Paul and Roz Hohman—instilled in him a duty of giving back to the community. Eric served on the Canton School Board and was previously active with the Forest Hill Cemetery Board, the Canton Library Board, the Sioux Empire Red Cross Board and treasurer of the Canton Lutheran Church. He currently is active with the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation, the Lutheran Church Foundation and the Depot.

During his time owning the Sioux Valley newspaper and working in the banking industry, Hohman learned the importance of accessibility, independence, transparency, honesty and keeping true to your word. To Hohman, these are crucial for long-lasting relationships. As a state senator, Eric will be a leader District 16 can be proud of because he is committed to these same principles as an elected public official.

The District 16 Senate seat will be vacated by longtime public servant Jim Bolin, who is term-limited and unable to seek re-election to the State Senate. Hohman is grateful for Senator Bolin’s leadership in the Legislature and passion for public service.

District 16 includes the majority of Lincoln, Turner and Union counties. The Republican primary election is Tuesday, June 4, 2024, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

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A Tradition of Responsible State Funding
by State Senator Casey Crabtree

MADISON–It’s December and the Holiday Season is in full swing. This time of year is one of my favorites because of time spent with family and celebrating Christmas traditions. The beginning of December also means your legislators are busy preparing for the upcoming session and reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget.

Each December, the Governor is constitutionally required to present the Legislature with a budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Throughout the Legislative Session, the appropriators–the budget setting committee members–and eventually the entire Legislature will craft and vote on a final budget. It’s a collaborative process amongst the House, Senate, state agencies and Gov. Noem. At the end of the day, it’s our duty as the Legislature to adopt a balanced and responsible state budget that takes care of our residents.

During the past few years, South Dakota has seen 10 to 15 percent growth in available dollars for state spending largely due to federal COVID relief dollars. Wise fiscal management allowed us to leverage one-time dollars for impactful projects without burdening the taxpayers in future years. Investments in infrastructure, freezing tuition at state universities and technical colleges, and increases to what we refer to in Pierre as the the big three–education, healthcare, and state employees–were key wins for South Dakota last session. We balanced all of this while also making the largest tax cut in South Dakota’s history.

Similar to the national economy, things appear to be slowing down in South Dakota. Thankfully sound fiscal management of South Dakota taxpayer dollars helps insulate us from national economic pressures and positions us well for the future. As I talk to folks on Main Street, meet with ag producers, study the data, and listen to economic experts it’s pretty clear that we are seeing the return of “normal” annual growth, which is around 5 percent. South Dakota’s government will be tightening its belt just like many South Dakota families are under the Biden economy. This also means there will be significantly fewer one-time dollars available for large projects, and that’s a good start to fight off inflation.

As a Legislature, we are going to focus on the state’s top priorities. A major priority of mine is another tuition freeze for post-secondary schools. Protecting the affordability of education, equipping the next generation with job skills and knowledge, and keeping kids in South Dakota is a critical investment for the longevity of South Dakota’s economy and quality of life. We’ll also look to increase teacher pay, healthcare and nursing home reimbursements to keep up with Biden’s inflation.

As we look to the future of our economy, I’m thankful for Gov. Noem’s funding proposal to establish the United States’ first PhD program in quantum computing. With this investment, Dakota State University will continue to be at the forefront of training the world’s best cybersecurity experts, while we also continue to strengthen one of our fastest growing industries.

One of our Legislature’s greatest (albeit legally required) traditions is passing a balanced budget, but on top of that, we will pass the budget that is best for the people of South Dakota. At the end of the day, I’m proud that in South Dakota we approach our budget in a thoughtful and responsible way. We sit down and look at priorities, eliminate unnecessary spending, and make thoughtful decisions just like a family sitting around the dinner table planning out a household budget. Legislators also keep top of mind that these dollars belong to the people of South Dakota and that every dollar invested is necessary to help this great state thrive.

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From Twitter:

Praying for my friend Larry Pressler as he and his family mourn the loss of his wife, Harriet. Larry is still a regular attendee of our Senate prayer breakfast. May her memory be a blessing. https://t.co/i4KhgYM3NG

— Senator Mike Rounds (@SenatorRounds) December 6, 2023

Rounds, Tester Lead Legislation to Block Paraguayan Beef Imports in Response to Animal Health Concerns

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced bipartisan legislation to suspend beef imports from Paraguay. The senators’ bill would also require the establishment of a working group to evaluate the threat to food safety and animal health posed by Paraguayan beef. This comes after the Biden administration recently lifted a long-standing ban on Paraguayan beef imports.

“South Dakota ranch families work tirelessly to produce the safest, highest quality and most affordable beef in the world,” said Rounds. “Paraguay has historically struggled to contain outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has prioritized diplomatic initiatives in the region over the interests of the American cattle industry. This poses a significant threat to not only our producers, but our consumers as well. Consumers should be able to confidently feed their families beef that has met the rigorous standards required in the United States. I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation that prioritizes the well-being of American producers and consumers.”

“I drove more than 50 miles one-way from my farm this past weekend to butcher a cow because Montana ranchers produce the best beef in the world and work tirelessly to ensure their livestock are safe,” said Tester. “Paraguay has failed to meet the standard put forward by Montana ranchers. That’s why I’m leading bipartisan legislation to stand up to the Biden Administration and block beef imports from Paraguay until we have good, reliable data to show they can meet these same high standards as American ranchers.”

This legislation is supported by R-CALF USA, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“We applaud Senator Rounds and Senator Tester for introducing this bill to protect both American livestock and American citizens,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA. “By requiring a timely and thorough evaluation of potential risks to disease introduction and food safety associated with importing fresh and frozen beef from Paraguay, the bill will ensure that America’s food supply remains safe and it’s cattle herd remains healthy.”

“The U.S. cattle industry has been absolutely clear on the immediate need to halt the importation of beef from countries such as Paraguay and Brazil,” said Justin Tupper, President of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. “There are numerous reasons to take action, including the threat to the health of the domestic cattle herd, the associated food safety risks due to government corruption within these nations, the deforestation of critical ecosystems to support industry in these countries, and the use of forced labor practices. Senators Rounds and Tester continue to demand accountability and transparency from countries like Paraguay and Brazil. USCA strongly urges other Members of Congress to support these efforts and join the call for the immediate half of Paraguayan and Brazilian beef imports.”

“The United States has the highest food safety and animal health standards in the world, and any country who wishes to trade with the United States must demonstrate that they can meet those standards,” said Ethan Lane, Vice President of Government Affairs of NCBA. “Paraguay’s long history of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and the lack of recent site visits, makes importing beef from Paraguay too risky. All our trade partners need to have inspection systems that can clearly provide an equivalent level of safety for animal health to prevent a possible foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United States. Cattle producers thank Senators Mike Rounds and Jon Tester for introducing legislation to help protect consumers and cattle from foreign animal disease.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

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