The Attorney General is holding a press conference at the moment with regards to the COVID relief funds that went to State Senator Jessica Castleberry’s day care business as they attempted to provide services during the pandemic.

It appears that $104,100 is not being required to be given back to the state, as they were direct pass through dollars to families, but $499,129 will be required to be repaid, as ineligible to have been received by the business under constitutional prohibitions for legislators receiving state funds.

A payment plan has been set up, where Senator Castleberry will be required to repay funds at the rate of $2400 monthly, at the federal interest rate (currently 4.03%).  While some funds went directly to families, unfortunately, nearly half a million was considered inappropriate under the constitution, and must be repaid back to the State of South Dakota.

Jackley remarked that Senator Castleberry has been acting in cooperation with the investigation, providing full access to her financial records, including tax returns, financial statements, and e-mails, and all funds went towards DSS approved expenditures for day care related expenses.

A copy of the repayment plan agreement will be public, and will be released.  Jackley said in looking at the plan, they determined that a payment plan must be “realistic and achievable,”and they believed that it will be payable over 20-30 years.  In response to a question, Jackley noted that under the constitution, Senator Castleberry’s business would be eligible for state funds after the Senator is out of office for a year.

Attorney General spokesman Tony Mangan noted that a press release and the settlement will be disseminated within the hour.

Fiegen Runs for PUC Re-Election

Kristie Fiegen, Chairperson of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, announced her candidacy for re-election on Wednesday evening at the Turner County Fair in her hometown of Parker, SD. The Public Utilities Commission is led by a three-member elected commission who has a regulatory role with public utilities, grain warehouses and grain buyers. In addition, the Public Utilities Commission serves in a judicial role, evaluating facts and evidence presented in permit applications for energy projects.

“South Dakotans want a PUC commissioner who is fair and honest,” Fiegen said in her announcement. “As your PUC commissioner, I will keep utility companies accountable to the people and advocate for reliable service at fair rates.”

Since joining the commission, Fiegen has focused on three main areas: First, Kristie is a consumer advocate for South Dakota utility consumers and keeping rates reasonable while providing reliable service. Keeping the lights on is essential to our state as President Biden’s radical anti-fossil fuel energy policy is causing the lights to go out. We must have “all above energy” to ensure reliability of our electricity.

Second, Commissioner Fiegen advocates for expanded utilities such as broadband, cell phone coverage, and electric transmission infrastructure which are all important to rural South Dakota. South Dakotas in every corner of our state should have high speed internet and be able to have access to worldwide commerce, online education, and new health care opportunities.

Third, Kristie does her day-to-day work with the utmost respect for the law and facts in every decision she makes. Kristie’s detailed evaluation of each case, impartial judgment, fair decisions, and hard work are what she is known for. Her reputation for protecting the process and citizens is important in how she looks out for you every day by placing honesty and integrity at the base of everything she does.

Fiegen is asking to be nominated at the State Republican Party Convention in June 2024, and re-elected in the general election in November 2024.

Fiegen was elected to the commission in November 2012 and re-elected in November 2018. Prior to serving on the commission, Kristie was the state-wide Executive Director for Junior Achievement of South Dakota for 17 years. She was elected to four terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives, serving the taxpayers of District 11 from 1993 to 2001. Kristie and her husband Tim, have two adult sons, Alex and his wife McKenna and Jackson and his fiancé Mara.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO MEET

PIERRE – The Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee will hold its first meeting of the 2023 Interim on Monday, August 21, 2023, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

he meeting is being conducted in Room 362 of the State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota. The committee will select a Chair and Vice Chair; discuss the efficacy of statutes and rules related to medical marijuana; and hear presentations and take testimony from sectors impacted by South Dakota’s medical marijuana laws including state agencies, the medical marijuana industry, and the public. The full agenda is available online.

Members include Senators Jim Mehlhaff (R-Pierre) and Erin Tobin (R-Winner); Representatives Roger DeGroot (R-Brookings) and Curt Massie (R-Rapid City); and non-legislators Francine Arneson, Brian Doherty, Katie Kassin, Brian Mueller, Kristi Palmer, Jon Thum, and Rachel Waddell.

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If you recall  the story earlier this year that Bob Braun, Superintendent of the Aberdeen Water Treatment plant, had some harsh words for his former employer, as in a very public tirade, when he exposed a litany of employee issues that he was not allowed to take any action on, as well as delays that increased costs for taxpayers, because they were held for no discernible reason.  He also explained how he was denied the ability to get surgery by his employer, laying most of the blame at the feet of the City Manager, Joe Gaa.   Of course, the city claimed all was well.

And then the city had to later send out notices pointing out there’s an increased risk of disease in using their water supply.  Oops.

Now, it looks as if the city manager, Joe Gaa, has decided that it might be a good time “to move closer to family.”

Aberdeen City Manager Joe Gaa is departing for Iowa after working in the Hub City for three years.

and..

Gaa is expected to start in Marshalltown as early as next month.

In a statement to Dakota News Now, Gaa said the move to Iowa will allow him to be closer to family.

Read the entire story here.

Gotta love city politics. Never a dull moment.

From Facebook:

Youngberg announces candidacy for District 25 Senate

COLMAN, SD – Today, Jordan Youngberg announced his intention to seek election to represent District 25 in the South Dakota Senate during the upcoming election cycle. This decision comes on the back of support from citizens across the district and a desire to take action to improve the lives of South Dakotans through his conservative values and proven record of results and leadership.

“The decision to run again is something I’ve been excited to announce for a while now,” Youngberg said in a statement, “I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me in this decision, and I look forward to working with our communities to take action for District 25.”

Youngberg enters the race with an extensive amount of experience in the legislative branch. He was first elected to the South Dakota Senate in 2016, where he served as the Republican Whip and championed legislation to prevent higher taxes, improve education, and protect children and victims of human trafficking.

He resides in Colman with his wife, Ann, and their two children, Russell and Blake. If elected to the Senate, Youngberg’s goals remain the same: focus on actions over words and use his proven record of conservative values to work hard for the people of District 25. Youngberg is committed to keeping taxes low, supporting agriculture, cutting red tape, and improving public safety.

To learn more about Youngberg’s campaign, please visit www.youngbergforSDsenate.com. For press inquiries, please email jordan.youngberg@yahoo.com.

Attorney General’s Office Releases Final Explanation For Initiated Measure Repealing South Dakota’s Medical Marijuana Program

PIERRE, S.D. – The final ballot explanation for a proposed initiated measure that would repeal South Dakota’s Medical Marijuana Program, as proposed by Travis Ismay of Newell, has been released by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Marty Jackley does not take a position on any such proposal. As required by law, the Attorney General has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the proposed constitutional amendment to assist the voters.

This proposed initiated measure would repeal the state’s medical marijuana program that was approved by voters in the 2020 general election. The repeal would make all possession, use, cultivation, sale, manufacture, sale of marijuana, and marijuana products a crime. The 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 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 48 comments were received.

State law requires the Attorney General to 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.

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

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Interim update from State Rep. Chris Kassin, District 17 House

A few miles north of Burbank, on Highway 50, two identical historical markers read, “On November 25, 1935, 17 farmers from Clay and Union counties held an historic meeting at the Manning/O’Connor store in Burbank. Their purpose was to form a consumer-owned corporation which would allow the rural residents of this portion of southeastern South Dakota to provide themselves with central station electric service. At that meeting, Clay-Union Electric, the first rural electric cooperative in South Dakota, was formed.”

As I’ve shared, the legislature’s work is more comprehensive than the time in Pierre in January and February. Our interim time focuses on having more in-depth discussions, reviewing progress on projects, and getting the opportunity to see and hear firsthand about industries and initiatives serving South Dakota’s people. During the past month, I’ve had the chance to learn more about one of our state’s most essential tools in our economic development — our rural electric cooperatives.

When those 17 farmers got together in 1935, 90% of our rural homes and farms didn’t have electricity. In May 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed an Executive Order establishing the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), a lending program from the federal government designed to “spark” development for rural communities, and it was the farmer-based cooperatives that made rural electrification a reality.

For most of us, the idea of not having electricity is only something we deal with for only a few hours if the lines go down. The idea of trying to earn a living, educate our children, and have access to health care or other services without electricity is beyond our experience — thankfully — due to our electric co-ops.

Reliable power is the cornerstone of rural development, contributing to economic growth, improved living conditions, and the integration of rural communities into the broader national economy.

This month, I joined other friends and neighbors to celebrate the grand opening of the new headquarters for the Union County Electric Cooperative in Elk Point. In operation for more than 86 years, it can be easy to take for granted all the electric co-ops have done for our communities. They’ve been the crucial key to rural economic development. The member-owned cooperatives invest in our communities by supporting local small businesses, first responders and emergency services, and education.

Our co-ops and the REA efforts on behalf of the community continued after initial electrification. They’ve continued to provide support to ensure reliable power for rural communities. The REA and local co-ops stay current in a volatile and ever-changing market. They are committed to ensuring their communities benefit from ongoing advancements in the energy sector. They play an essential role in rural communities, providing reliable energy, fostering local development, and empowering members to have a voice in their energy provider.

The history of service provided by the co-ops is a testament to the power of private partnerships and cooperative efforts to improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural regions by providing them with access to electricity.

As our focus now turns to the 2024 legislative session, any ideas, thoughts, or concerns can be the foundation for future legislation. Please know that I’m listening. My email address is chris.kassin@sdlegislature.gov, or you can always call/text me at (605) 670-9698.

Thank you again for the opportunity to represent you.

Sources: The Historical Marker Database; National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Democrat Aaron Matson who served as South Dakota Democrat Party Communications Director, and most recently lost a race for State Treasurer (62.3% to 37.7%) to State Treasurer Josh Haeder is apparently setting his sights a little lower in the 2024 election cycle, and has announced that he will be running in the District 11 House race:

Some personal news: After a lot of thought, conversation, and prayer, I have decided to run for the South Dakota State House. You can check out my campaign website at https://t.co/1jY6dB9OM2, follow me at @aaronfor11, and donate to the campaign here: https://t.co/14oCgISJKs

— Dr. Aaron Matson (@aaronfromsd) August 12, 2023

The House seats are currently held by Republican Representatives Brian Mulder and Chris Karr.

Karr is term limited from running for that office again, so the contest starts with one open seat. So, we’ll see how things shake out in the coming months.

Summer is in full swing in South Dakota. Fair season is ramping up. The weather is great for a hike in the Black Hills or a day at the lake. And visitors from all over are flocking to South Dakota’s unique sites and natural wonders. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that South Dakota is a popular tourist destination each year.

The tourism season is an important contributor to South Dakota’s economy. Tourism supports countless jobs and small businesses around the state. Last year, 14.4 million people visited our communities and spent $4.7 billion while they traveled from town to town. Growing up in Murdo, at the intersection of Highway 83 and I-90, I saw firsthand the impact of tourism on our small town. Everyone in my family worked a job related to the travel industry. From my job at the Star Family Restaurant, I saw families from across the country coming through Murdo on their way out west to visit the Black Hills and make a pilgrimage to Mount Rushmore.

Tourism is not the only thing that’s contributing to our state’s strong economy. Today, South Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. While this is great news, it can also pose challenges to job creators who need workers to staff and grow their business. I recently met with business leaders in Yankton who expressed a frustration I hear often from businesspeople around South Dakota in nearly every sector: They need more workers.

With South Dakota’s unemployment rate under 2 percent, it can be hard to find workers to fill openings. And when there aren’t enough workers on the payroll, it can hold back businesses’ operations and growth. To help fill this gap, many South Dakota businesses rely on the H-2B visa program, which allows businesses to hire nonimmigrant foreign workers for temporary, nonagricultural jobs. Employers in the tourism, hospitality, construction, and forestry industries have benefited from an additional pool of workers when they have struggled to find domestic labor to hire. I’ve made it a priority to ensure South Dakota’s businesses aren’t held back by labor shortages.

I recently introduced legislation to empower states to alleviate workforce shortages through the H-2B visa program. The State Executive Authority for Seasonal Occupations Needing Additional Labor (SEASONAL) Act would allow governors to request a specific number of additional visa slots when their states have experienced persistently low unemployment. Visa recipients would still be subject to existing program requirements that protect the domestic workforce, ensuring that states can fill open jobs without negatively impacting hardworking Americans or their wages. Governors could request supplemental visas for specific occupations or economic regions, while state legislatures would be able to impose limitations on the program. And while the federal government continues to balk at reforming our broken immigration system, my bill would ensure that Washington’s inaction doesn’t prevent state leaders from strengthening their states’ economies and supporting local businesses.

Summertime is a great time to experience the best of South Dakota, and more workers could amplify the economic success of our businesses. Whether you’re at a local fair or going down Main Street, I encourage you to support our local businesses and the products that are made right here in South Dakota. And I hope to see you there.

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