August has been a busy month! Every year, Congress has an extended “district work period.” It’s a time where members of Congress stop traveling back and forth to Washington and spend August in their home state to attend events or much-needed meetings, visit with constituents at fairs, sit down with business owners and community leaders, and host town halls. This time in the state helps us hear firsthand what is happening in communities big and small. Some may see August as a break from Congress doing their work, but it is filled with important meetings across the state to connect with South Dakotans.

I’ve been all across the state, from Hot Springs to Webster, North Sioux City to Newell—it’s easy to say I’ve spent a lot of time in the car. A day in each town is jam packed with events. One of my favorites is celebrating South Dakota agriculture at Dakotafest. I shared an update on the Farm Bill during South Dakota Farm Bureau’s Congressional forum, served lunch, and met producers from across the state who work hard day in and day out to provide quality products for Americans.

This August, I’ve hosted several Vietnam veteran pinning ceremonies, giving Vietnam veterans a proper thank you and welcome home. More than 100 Vietnam veterans have gathered at these ceremonies, bringing the total number of Vietnam veterans I have honored to almost 900 since I started the program in 2019.

At the beginning of the month, I spoke at the Naturalization Ceremony in Sioux Falls. It was a privilege to congratulate new citizens on completing the citizenship process. These individuals bring unique talents to our state and I’m grateful for their decision to call South Dakota, and America, home.

I’ve met with dozens of business leaders, community leaders, students, and health care workers. They keep me updated on what is going on in each community, any needs they have, and progress on community and business improvements.

The time I spend going from town to town allows me to best represent you in Washington D.C. – I’m looking forward to a productive fall when Congress is back in session.

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Had an interesting rumor from the field today from a tipster:

Minnehaha County Auditor Anderson has hired Mike Mathis (with SD Canvassing Group) as her new Elections Coordinator. She secured Mike a starting pay two pay classes higher than election previous coordinators. 

We’ll be able to confirm this pretty quickly as soon as it rolls through the County Commission so we can compare what the new coordinator is making in comparison to the old one. But the part that’s far more concerning is where Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson is said to be using to tap for her talent.

Mathis (Pictured to the left) was active in the SD Canvassing group, where in the linked clip he was claiming that he has “no confidence” in the elections.

If you’re not familiar with the SD Canvassing Group, it’s hard to deny that they’re a bit …on the fringe with their election beliefs:

Early into our research, we realized the Federal Election Laws like the NVRA and HAVA weren’t for the good of the States, or the integrity of the vote. Neither was the Patriot Act. Federal interference comes with Federal funds, which come with strings attached. Then, pick your favorite three letter agency and how they meddle in United States (s)elections. You may or may not know that the US perfected the election steal on other countries before using it on us.

and..

South Dakota has lost control of it’s elections. It’s death by 1,000 cuts. 

Read that on one of SD Canvassing’s websites.

And it’s not as if Anderson has distanced herself from the elections conspiracists.

Better saddle up for the ride, I’m sure we will hear more about it very shortly.

Despite Jennifer Slaight-Hansen’s exercise in futility to stop her removal as party chair, I notice that South Dakota Democrats have already expunged her from their website, instead noting the leadership of their interim chair:

I guess we know how that appeal is going to turn out.

Final Explanation Released for Draft Initiated Measure That Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana

PIERRE, S.D. – The final ballot explanation for a draft initiated measure that would legalize recreational marijuana, proposed by Matthew Schweich of Sioux Falls, has been released 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.

This proposed initiated measure would allow individuals 21 years old or older to possess, grow, ingest, and distribute marijuana for recreational purposes. The initiated measure does not affect laws dealing with hemp. The measure also does not change State laws concerning the State’s medical marijuana program. 

The final ballot explanation can be found here.

State law requires the Attorney General draft a title and explanation for each initiated measure, initiated constitutional amendment, constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, or referred measure that may appear on an election ballot. The Attorney General’s explanation is meant to be an “objective, clear, and simple summary” intended to “educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the proposed” measure, as well as identify the “legal consequences” of each measure.

If the required 17,509 valid signatures are gathered and approved by the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, the proposed constitutional amendment 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 15 comments were received.

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

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Ltr. MJJ Final Initiated Measure Legal. Rec. Use Possession and Distrib Marijuana by Pat Powers on Scribd

Better get them while they’re hot.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has released a limited edition bobblehead commemorating South Dakota State University’s championship win last year in Football.

According to the sale listing:

This bobblehead celebrates the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 2022 FCS National Championship. It features Jack the Jackrabbit, the official mascot of South Dakota State University. On Sunday, January 8th, 2023, the Jackrabbits captured their first National Championship in program history when they defeated NDSU 45-21 in Frisco, Texas. The bobblehead is officially licensed by SDSU.

• • In stock and ships now
  • Bobblehead is high quality and produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
  • 8 inches tall
  • Individually numbered to 2,023

You can purchase the exclusive bobblehead here for $40 each. (While supplies last.)

JOIN US and become a Campaign Cowboy at our SDGOP x @GOP training Friday, September 8th at the Courtyard Marriott in Box Elder, SD.

Register at the link below and we’ll see you at 9AM sharp!

➡️ https://t.co/dwskpF2CX9 pic.twitter.com/CGxUPfOy6J

— South Dakota GOP (@SDGOP) August 29, 2023

Attorney General Jackley Announces Availability Of New Consumer Alert System

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that the public can now receive Consumer Alerts via email from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. The new system became operational Wednesday.

“This new alert system is another way that the Attorney General’s Office and its Consumer Protection Division are working to keep people aware of the most recent scams that affect them or their loved ones,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This alert system will provide the subscribers with information about consumer scams as well as tips on how to protect against scams.”

People can register for the alerts at the Consumer Protection Division’s website at www.consumer.sd.gov or at by stopping at the Division’s booth in the Expo Building at the State Fair this week in Huron. No email addresses will be shared or sold to a third party.

People are reminded to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us if they have any information about a possible consumer scam or fraud.

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Let’s mark this one down in the useless exercise column as the unanimously ousted State Democrat Party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen is trying to appeal being thrown out of office to many of the people who tossed her out on her tail:

The committee, approved Tuesday morning by the state party’s executive board, will have 13 days to either approve or reject the appeal of Jennifer Slaight-Hansen. If rejected, an election for a new chair would be held Sept. 16 during the Democratic Roundup in Rapid City.

Slaight-Hansen was recalled from her position Aug. 19 by a vote of 57 ayes and two abstentions a few months after she began her role in April.

Read the entire story here in the Argus Leader.

I just don’t think this dog is going to hunt.

Senator Sydney R. Davis completes regional leadership institute

(Lombard, Ill.) August 22, 2023 — State Senator Sydney R. Davis of Burbank was among 37 select lawmakers to complete a leadership training program that identifies and assists emerging state and provincial leaders in the Midwest.

Senator Davis met with fellow lawmakers from South Dakota, 10 other Midwestern states and two Canadian provinces on August 18-22, in Madison, Wis., for The Council of State Governments’ 28^th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).

“The Bowhay Institute is one of the premier leadership training programs in the nation,” says Iowa Sen. Amy Sinclair, who serves as co-chair of the institute’s steering committee. “The legislatures in the region have benefited greatly from the skills their members have gained through this unique educational experience. Many of the graduates now hold leadership positions in their states.”

Since 1995, more than 900 lawmakers have graduated from the Bowhay Institute. State legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin are chosen to participate through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process. Members of the Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan legislative assemblies are selected by their caucuses to take part in the program.

BILLD was founded in 1995 to help new legislators meet the demands of increased policy responsibility being shifted to the states and, in many states, term limits and high legislative turnover. These continued forces highlight the shortage of training available for state legislators – a void that BILLD aims to fill.

A program of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office, the 2023 BILLD program included courses and seminars conducted by policy experts, Midwestern legislative leaders, and professional development trainers. In addition to curriculum designed to develop leadership skills, the program analyzed a variety of public policy issues, including the economy, trade, and energy policy.

The program is funded through grants from foundations, organizations and corporate sponsors, as well as in kind contributions provided by The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office.

The Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development is named in honor of the late James Bowhay, longtime director of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office. Founded in 1933, The Council of State Governments has national headquarters in Lexington, Ky., and regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago (Lombard, Ill.), New York City and Sacramento, Calif. The goal of the national, nonpartisan organization is to assist and advance state government.

Governor Noem Leads Governors Urging Congress to Address Nationwide Prescription Drug Shortage 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem led ten of her fellow Republican governors in urging Congress to address the nationwide shortage of prescription drugs. Governor Noem and her colleagues submitted a letter to leadership in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The letter was addressed to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

“A widespread and long-lasting shortage of critical drugs has been impacting the United States of America for years,” wrote Governor Noem and her colleagues. “Many of the most used prescription drugs in the country are facing extensive shortages – drugs like albuterol, amoxicillin, and chemotherapy drugs…To create real change, the states need Washington to take action.”

Governor Noem and her fellow Republican governors call on Congress to consider adding the following important policy solutions to any upcoming legislation aimed at addressing drug shortages:

• Transparency in the pharmaceutical manufacturing chain from sourcing raw materials to the finished product, including country of origin labeling;
• Increased diversity in the manufacturing of generic medications with regards to both raw materials and final manufacturing;
• Require transparency from the FDA related to shortages and events that cause supply disruption;
• Extending useful life of medications when appropriate by re-examining FDA guidance related to expiration dates;
• Waivers to allow purchasing of medications from Canada to expand our supply chain capability quickly;
• Creation of a regulatory environment that is more favorable to U.S. manufacturing to include instituting shorter “cure periods” for U.S. manufacturing plants; and,
• Requiring a risk assessment of foreign source active pharmaceutical ingredients.

“Congress needs to improve the inspection process for manufacturers to decrease the risk that everyday Americans are currently facing,” continued Governor Noem and her colleagues. “These practical steps toward greater transparency and flexibility will ensure safety and dependability in our pharmaceutical supply chain.”

Governor Noem has been a leader in combatting the shortage of prescription drugs. In May, Governor Noem signed Executive Order 2023-07, which required the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) to investigate the cause of the prescription drug shortage and recommend action to be taken back to the governor. With the results of that study,  Governor Noem announced that DOH will be expanding its medical caches to help combat the shortage of prescription drugs in July.

The following Republican governors joined Governor Noem in signing the letter: Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

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