Johnson Opposes Central Digital Bank Currency

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act to prevent the creation of a central digital bank currency (CDBC), protecting the financial privacy of all Americans.

Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, a CBDC is a digital form of sovereign currency that is issued, monitored, and managed by a central bank. In short, a CBDC is government-controlled programmable money that, if designed without the privacy protections of cash, could give the federal government unilateral authority to surveil Americans’ transactions and restrict politically unpopular activity.

“Digital assets help the private market grow and innovate, but the government should not monitor and police the transactions of private, law-abiding citizens,” said Johnson. “This bill is necessary to protect the financial privacy and liberty of our citizens.”

Specifically, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act:

• Prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to anyone, ensuring the Fed cannot turn itself into a retail bank with the ability to collect financial information on Americans.
• Bars the Federal Reserve from indirectly issuing a CBDC through financial institutions or other third-party intermediaries.
• Prevents the Federal Reserve from using any CBDC as a tool to implement monetary policy and control the economy.
• Requires authorizing legislation from Congress for the issuance of any CBDC.
• Protects innovation that reflects American values.

The CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act is led by House Republican Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). Read full bill text here.

###

This week, District 28 Republican State Senate candidate Susan Peterson successfully was placed on the ballot after a delay in her candidacy. She will be facing Sam Marty in the primary, and later Dean Schrempp in the general election.

But on the flipside, District 29 House candidate Aaron M Schrader had his petitions successfully challenged, and was decertified from the ballot.

Which brings up a few questions, as I’m personally aware of a number of other petition challenges that were filed last week/early this week. But the news from the Secretary of State’s office? Crickets.

Understandably, those challenges take some time, and probably involve a review by staff and/or counsel. But they drew for ballot position this morning, and the printing of ballots is impending.

So you would think they would move a little faster on this?

After posting the interesting brochure for District 17 Republican State Legislative candidate Robin Schiro, I decided to go own the rabbit hole a bit more, because I know nothing about this person. And what a rabbit hole it is.

From public postings on websites such as Linked-in, you get a flavor for what Ms. Schiro may bring to the table as a legislator, and a few more specifics regarding her concern over “IRS Contract Investigators:”

Or more recently…

 

Oh my. This is someone who wants to write our laws.

And what about those laws? Because according to court filings with the Unified Judicial System, there’s a matter of breaking one of them that she may want to resolve in Lawrence County:

It appears that this candidate has a bench warrant over a speeding ticket that’s been hanging out there since last October in Lawrence County. Nothing they’re going to send the sheriff out to actively chase her down over, but the next time she gets pulled over, she might have to get out her checkbook.

Please. Just please. Don’t send someone like this to Pierre.

For all our sakes.

Well.. this is a new one on me.

District 17 Republican State Legislative candidate Robin Schiro has a ..’unique‘ set of issues in her literature that she’s promoting in support of her candidacy, and what she intends to if she’s elected.

Go ahead and take a gander, as she declares that she has “proven I am not afraid to take stands and make decisions that are important, necessary, and unpopular.”

As a candidate, Schiro provides her platform under headings such as Transparency of Government, Economic Development, Fiscal Responsibility.. and then she gets into the weeds a bit when she starts talking about Less Government – IRS:

Distrcit 17 House candidate Schiro declares in her brochure that:

I will work with our Federal Legislators to:

• • Eliminate IRS illegally required tax payments that go directly to the terrorists under the guise of being IRS Contract Investigators instead of the IRS
  • Eliminate IRS illegal investigations (especially those over 10+ years time and targeting unbelievers).
  • Eliminate the use of IRS Contract Investigators since they are trained as terrorists to hack into literally everything including our 9-1-1 system

I somehow get the sense there’s a story there. Similarly under her section title “Less Bureaucracy/Red Tape – FBI” where she promises to

• • Put in place firewalls so that illegal terrorists under the guise of being IRS Contract Investigators cannot hack into Linkedin or Facebook to prevent you from reporting an FBI Tip On-Line Tip Web Site and prevent you from submitting an FBI Terrorist Tip On-Line.

Definitely a story there that we’re not aware of, that I suspect we’re going to hear about on the campaign trail.

For all you potential candidates out there, take a look at the brochure above. And don’t do this. At all. Ever.

Name and Office, a good picture, and a few bullets about yourself. You don’t need much more than that. And maybe consider leaving your opinions about IRS Contract Investigators supposedly being trained as terrorists at home.

Sometimes, less is more when it comes to your political advertising.

Amber Hulse today was on facebook noting the endorsement of the Pennington County Sheriff, checking off the support of all of the chief law enforcement officers in her District in her race for State Senate:

Rounds Requests Tribal Law Enforcement Training Center in South Dakota

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior requesting a meeting to discuss options for law enforcement training in South Dakota.

Currently, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requires a majority of tribal law enforcement officers to receive training at a facility in New Mexico. Discussions with tribal and law enforcement leaders have indicated that the distance to this facility is a barrier for recruiting law enforcement officers in the region. Recently, leaders of tribes in South Dakota have declared states of emergency because of rampant crime.

“With no basic federal training options for tribal law enforcement on the Great Plains, prospective officers are opting to work for local agencies or leave the law enforcement field altogether,” Rounds said. “This has been especially difficult for law enforcement in the Great Plains Region, which is home to some of the largest tribes in the nation. We need to support them during a time where crime is rising everywhere nationwide, but especially on tribal lands.”

Read the full letter HERE or below.

+++

Dear Assistant Secretary Newland:

I write to you to address the tribal law enforcement crisis in the Great Plains Region. It has become clear that a lack of law enforcement personnel is contributing to the ongoing crime wave, and that recruiting and training appear to be root causes of this situation.

As you are well aware, tribal law enforcement leaders are struggling to hire and retain law enforcement officers in tribal communities. As you also know, several tribal law enforcement agencies in the Great Plains Region only employ a handful of officers. As a consequence, as few as two officers can be tasked with patrolling millions of acres during a shift. Criminal entities are taking advantage of these shortages and are distributing higher volumes of illegal drugs, including fentanyl.

It is my understanding the BIA requires the majority of tribal law enforcement officers to receive training at the U.S. Indian Police Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. In my recent discussions with Great Plains Region law enforcement leaders, it has become apparent that the distance to this academy is a recruitment barrier. With no basic federal training options for tribal law enforcement on the Great Plains, prospective officers are opting to work for local agencies or leave the law enforcement field altogether. This has been especially difficult for law enforcement in the Great Plains Region, which is home to some of the largest tribes in the nation. I have consulted with tribal leaders and believe that the possibility of opening a tribal law enforcement training facility in the Great Plains Region would address this issue.

In our consultation, I have become aware of several suitable, existing training facilities that could address the recruitment and training problem without significant cost. I believe that such an outcome would garner support from tribal leaders and result in the building of greater law enforcement capacity throughout the region. With the current situation in mind, I respectfully ask you to meet with me to discuss this issue.

Please contact members of my staff to coordinate such a meeting.

###

Johnson Fights to Secure Payments for National Guard Members 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged National Guard Bureau Chief Daniel R. Hokanson to ensure the availability of incentive programs for National Guard members.

“Missing or delayed bonus payments for our soldiers has become a troubling trend—one that cannot continue,” said Johnson. “Our servicemembers are counting on bonuses they were promised to pay their bills. We must uphold our word to the men and women serving our country.”

On March 1 of this year, the Army National Guard suspended reenlistment bonuses. While the incentives program was restarted on March 8, this is not the first time incentives programs were suspended or delayed. In October 2023, more than 9,000 soldiers experienced delays in receiving their enlistment bonus, some by up to five years. A similar scenario occurred in 2021. Further, the National Guard suspended student loan repayments for soldiers in July of 2023.

The Armed Services significantly missed its recruitment goals for 2023 by over 40,000 people. This leaves our military with the smallest active-duty force since 1940. Johnson’s letter asks if the Armed Services are short of their recruiting goal, why the incentive programs are not funded properly.

Read Johnson’s letter to Hokanson here.

###

Dan Kippley Announces Candidacy for Minnehaha County Commission

Sioux Falls, SD – Dan Kippley announced today his intention to run for the Minnehaha County Commission in the Republican Primary taking place on June 4, 2024. Dean Karsky, current Minnehaha County Commission Chair, is seeking re-election. Kippley is seeking the other seat.

“Minnehaha County deserves strong and decisive leadership, a commissioner who can be authentic and isn’t afraid to make a difficult decision. My past record of accomplishments in my 40-year business career and advocate for our community have prepared me to be what Minnehaha County needs at this important time in our history.” – Dan Kippley, Minnehaha County Commission Candidate.

As your next Minnehaha County Commissioner, I will focus on:

• Safety-Continue to support law enforcement and first responders
• Fiscal Responsibility-Carefully consider all non-mandated expenditures
• Infrastructure-Support efforts to secure more state & federal funding for roads and bridges
• County Growth-Strategically long-term plan for controlled growth in the MSA for housing and job creation

“I have the proven community leadership experience necessary to begin work on day one as your next Minnehaha County Commissioner.  My commitment to the citizens and visitors of our community has been proven by my actions, not just my words.

• 40 years of business development & relationship sales experience
• 4-H & FFA alum and family farm raised
• Active Sioux Falls Downtown Rotarian
• Chamber volunteer on the Agi-Business & Ambassador Committees

“Kippley has lived in South Dakota for 45 years and Sioux Falls since 2005. He has two grown children & four grandchildren. He owns Kippley Consulting and specializes in business & leadership development by connecting needed resources for his clients. In his free time, he enjoys playing with the grandkids, watching SDSU sporting events, golfing and traveling.”

###

Gov. Noem’s Freedom Works Here Ad Wins National Award 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem’s Freedom Works Here Ad, “Bright Side,” won a national award for Best TV Ad at this year’s Reed Awards.

“When I kicked off Freedom Works Here, my goal was to tell South Dakota’s story to the entire nation,” said Governor Noem. “I am blown away by the national recognition these ads have brought to South Dakota – and people are moving here because of it! We have welcomed thousands of people to our state and are looking forward to welcoming even more.”

Freedom Works Here is the most successful workforce recruitment campaign in South Dakota history. 9,361 people have expressed interest in moving to South Dakota, and over 2,300 have worked directly with our job experts to begin the process – many are already here!

To learn more, visit FreedomWorksHere.com.

###

If you’re in Sioux Falls on April 9, SDFRW & the local Minnehaha-Lincoln Republican Women are hosting a watch party for the local elections that evening:

(Normally, I’d point out that this is yet another function that Minnehaha Co GOP used to do, but the important thing is that it’s good that someone is stepping up to fill the void -pp)

Check it out!