Without action this week, rural airports in Aberdeen, Watertown, and Pierre would have faced over $4 million in new expenses over the next ten years. This cost burden would have many potential impacts: flight cancelations, higher ticket prices, and maybe even a risk of closure if our local governments can’t come up with these additional funds.

A committee I serve on proposed this change, and I stopped it. If this change had been made, traveling in and out of these towns would have impacted “life as we know it” for many travelers. One small change to a bill in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee made all the difference and saved these three airports from facing daunting expenses.

I was proud to lead efforts to exempt the most rural airports from the original provision that would have taken millions of dollars away from our small towns. These rural airports are well over 175 miles (a three-hour drive) from hub airports. Requiring our most rural airports to incur hefty costs isn’t sustainable. The financial burden would likely end in higher flight prices or the city government laying off employees or cutting other services, changing the social fabric of these towns.

We have a commitment to connect rural and metropolitan areas. The risk of losing these airport services would fracture that commitment. The airports in Watertown, Aberdeen, and Pierre connect South Dakotans to other parts of the state, region, and country.

Our state capital is the second smallest in the country. Without the Pierre airport, or with higher costs, our state legislators, state employees, and visitors would be forced to travel hours by car from airports like Sioux Falls and Rapid City or pay higher ticket prices for their flight.

Thankfully, my amendment was adopted and the airports in Aberdeen, Watertown, and Pierre won’t have to face this burden—protecting your airports and flights around the state.

Wheels up!

 

Prioritizing Family Bonding
By: Ian Fury and Kieran Tate
June 16, 2023 

Nothing brings perspective to life like a newborn baby. Everything trivial and inconsequential fades into the background as you welcome a new tiny human into the world with a full heart and wide-open arms. And even if you turn your attention elsewhere for a moment, their cries for milk and screams about a gassy tummy or dirty diaper will bring your focus right where it should be!

As Father’s Day comes around, countless families across South Dakota are celebrating the bonds between parents and their kids. Both of us have welcomed new babies to our families in the last few weeks. Kieran and her family welcomed their third baby, Nina, in early May, and Ian and his family welcomed their first baby, Gavin, into the world just a few days later.

We’ve very much appreciated the opportunity to get to know these new kiddos. They waste no time exhibiting their own unique personalities. Nina is a hungry, hungry hippo, and is already packing on pounds since she was born. Her favorite place to be is either outside in the sunshine, or in the baby wrap close to mom. Gavin has a fiery spirit – all the temper in the world, but when he smiles, it sets the room aglow. He also loves to demand cuddles at 4 am!

Both of us have been tremendously blessed to benefit from the excellent Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits offered to state employees. Governor Noem worked hard to pass PFL for state employees into law back in 2020, and this year, she expanded that opportunity even further for state employees.

While our babies were born before the expanded policy took effect, we are so encouraged for other parents to have the opportunity to prioritize their families in these crucial first few weeks. And we are grateful this benefit is in place for any future babies that may come our way. The last thing parents should have to worry about is figuring out how they will take time off after they welcome a baby into the family. Governor Noem has created a culture in state government that allows parents to put their families first.

KIERAN: As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of taking an unpaid maternity leave, I’m grateful to have access to paid family leave so that I can spend more time bonding with Nina, and I’m excited for the parents who will be able to utilize the new paid family leave benefit that went into effect on May 22^nd of this year. Having paid time off has not only allowed me to spend this time with our brand-new baby, but has also afforded me the extra, necessary time to rest and recover while not worrying about bringing in money for our family.

IAN: From a dad’s perspective, while there’s so much that I can’t do for Gavin – like grow him for 9 months or create the food he relies on every day – I have valued the opportunity to step up as a supporting figure. Dishes still need to be cleaned, laundry still needs to be done, and yes, diapers need changing. But most importantly, PFL allows me to support a brand-new mom. We have been blessed with the opportunity to strengthen our family, together.

Those first few months after having a baby, while undeniably sweet, can also be very stressful for new moms and dads. PFL affords parents the opportunity to focus more time on bonding with their new baby and spend less time worrying about going back to work soon or other financial stressors. They’re only newborns once, and time goes so fast!

Governor Noem has made stronger families her top priority, and she will continue working to help as many South Dakotans as possible gain the ability to share these important opportunities.

You can find a photo of baby Gavin here. You can find a photo of baby Nina here.

Ian Fury serves as Chief of Communications for Governor Kristi Noem.

Kieran Tate serves as Director of Communications for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

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Updating the story from earlier this week where it came out that the June 21 first meeting of the Secretary of State’s election study would be held privately with the public barred from attending, KELOland news is now reporting that all three of the meetings are considered “non-public”

Jennifer Morrell, co-founder of The Elections Group and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, will be a moderator.

Rachel Soulek with the secretary of state’s office told KELOLAND News there will be three meetings – June 21 (discussion), July 20 (draft) and August 22 (finalize).

Soulek called the meetings “an ad hoc study” and the office didn’t consider them public meetings.

and..

“Some of us do not know each other,” DeBoer told KELOLAND News. “Let’s say a disagreement takes place. If that disagreement takes place early in the meeting and then it’s resolved later in the meeting, which part of that is somebody going to take home and talk about?”

and..

This group will meet under the secretary of state’s office. Nelson pointed out he is volunteering for this group and said there’s no compensation for members traveling to the meeting but a lunch is being provided.

Read the entire story here.

Couple of takeaways from the story.

The only public member of the panel is Vicky Buhr, who is heavily involved with the South Dakota chapter of Convention of States. (You remember them, don’t you?).

And the group is being moderated by the founder of an organization which does do paid training for election officials, including explaining how ballot drop boxes are secure.  I will be curious to see if they end up getting any contracts for training later down the line.

Keep watching.

Thune: U.S. Needs Strong Economy, National Defense to Compete with China

“If the Democrat leader is serious about improving our competitiveness with China, and not just funding progressive priorities, these are the kinds of things he should focus on for his bill.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the threat that China poses to the United States and the importance of putting America in a position of strength to be able to counter China. Thune noted that we must strengthen our national security and economy to compete with China and ensure that any China initiative doesn’t become a vehicle for more spending on far-left policies.

Johnson Secures Win For South Dakota Airports

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) led efforts to successfully turn back a plan to charge the Pierre, Aberdeen, and Watertown communities more than $4 million over the next ten years to maintain passenger air service.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed out bipartisan legislation making significant reforms to our nation’s aviation system. Originally, language in that bill, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation (SGRLAA) Act, would have charged rural passenger airports extensive new fees to participate in the essential air service program.

Johnson successfully amended the bill to protect the most remote passenger airports, including those in Pierre, Aberdeen, and Watertown, from those new expenses. His amendment was adopted into the final package by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and will move to the House floor.

“South Dakotans and rural Americans deserve reasonable access to airport travel,” said Johnson. “The original draft of the committee’s bill would force towns like Pierre, Aberdeen, and Watertown to cut city programs or raise taxes or fees to support essential air services. I’m glad the committee adopted my amendment to protect our rural airports while also making fiscally responsible changes to the program as a whole.”

The SGRLAA Act is the five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It reauthorizes the programs in the FAA to improve efficiency and operations, strengthen American’s general aviation sector and workforce, invest in United States airport infrastructure, enhance the passenger experience, and authorize the National Transportation Safety Board.

Background:

Essential Air Service (EAS) airports – like those in Pierre, Aberdeen, and Watertown – receive federal funding to ensure air service to rural and small communities. Language in the original text of the SGRLAA Act would have placed a burden of five percent funding on local and state governments that have EAS airports which risks air service in those communities.

Johnson’s amendment specifically targeted the most rural EAS airports that are more than 175 driving miles – nearly a three-hour drive – from the nearest medium- or large-hub airport. The amendment exempted those airports from the five percent cost-share outlined in the legislation. With Johnson’s amendment, the EAS airports in South Dakota will maintain a connection to the national aviation network.

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Johnson, Thune, Rounds Oppose Rule to Limit BLM Land Use

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning urging immediate withdrawal of the BLM’s proposed rule for “Conservation and Landscape Health.” Additionally, Johnson introduced South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in the House Natural Resources Committee for her testimony on the bill H.R. 3397 that would force withdrawal of the proposed rule.

The proposed rule would authorize the BLM to prioritize conservation practices over current standards for multiple-use land, such as livestock grazing, recreation, mineral extraction, renewable energy production, and other common uses.

“In South Dakota, the BLM manages more than 274,000 surface acres and around 1.7 million acres of subsurface minerals,” said the delegation. “From the prairie to pine forests, the BLM manages important uses for our constituents, including livestock grazing, mineral extraction, timber, and recreational activities such as hunting, off-road driving, camping, hiking, and mountain biking. We are concerned the new definitions and frameworks in this proposal will severely restrict how our constituents interact with public lands.”

“The framework for conservation leases in the proposal could threaten responsible uses of the land by allowing the BLM to limit any use of leased land that is deemed ‘inconsistent’ with the framework. This new process has the potential to lock away land for more than a decade, keeping out hunters, livestock owners who graze on public lands, and American taxpayers and tourists who want to enjoy the great outdoors,” continued the delegation.

Background:

There are 245 million surface acres of BLM land in America. This land is already under management plans and strict Federal protection.

The proposed rule creates a framework for BLM “conservation leases” without congressional approval that would not authorize usage of land inconsistent with their framework. This could prohibit access and public use of this land for ten or more years.

The proposed rule additionally gives BLM authority of interim management and implementation of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, should one be nominated outside of the standard land use planning process. This authority would allow BLM access to manage these areas without input from state or local government, or the public.

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Judge Rejects McIsaac’s Recall Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Judge Rejects McIsaac’s Recall Challenge

BALTIC, SD – A Minnehaha County Circuit Judge has ruled that the petition to recall Mayor McIsaac was valid, and that an election is to be set. While some grounds did fall short procedurally, the factual basis of all the petition grounds were undisputed.

South Dakotans for Transparent Government now calls on the Baltic City Council to fulfill their obligation to the voters by setting an election date, so that the will of the voters can be heard.

For more information, please visit www.recallmcisaac.com. For press inquiries, please contact info@recallmcisaac.com

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Governor Noem Testifies Against Biden’s Proposed BLM Rule
Fights for the Freedom of South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem testified  before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources in favor of HR 3397. The bill would require the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw the proposed rule on “Conservation and Landscape Health.”

Governor Noem reminded the committee that our land is our greatest resource and that Washington bureaucrats do not know how to manage land better than the folks who have been stewarding it for generations. Photos from the hearing and Governor Noem’s meeting with House leadership can be found here.

“I was raised by a dad who often reminded me, ‘Kristi, we don’t sell land, because God’s not making any more land…,” said Governor Noem. “But I also learned why he cared so much – because working the land wasn’t just a job or a career to my father. It was our family legacy. It was our way of life. It was a culture that not only preserves a critical work ethic that is so important to this country, but it also reminds us daily of the natural resources that were a gift from God.” You can view Governor Noem’s full opening statement here.

Representative Dusty Johnson (SD) introduced Governor Noem at the beginning of the hearing. He said, “Time and time again I have seen [Governor Noem] make decisions not on the basis of what would increase her political comfort, but what would better serve her oath of office…In that way she has made great decisions for our state.” You can view Rep. Johnson’s full introduction here.

When answering a question posed by Representative Stauber (MN-08), Governor Noem emphasized that BLM did not conduct an economic analysis when writing the proposed rule. Thus, it’s designation as a minor rule has no basis in fact.

Governor Noem explained in her response to Representative Curtis (UT-03) that the state of South Dakota has achieved the second highest renewable fuel share in the country and a designation as a top ten greenest state without mandates or government overreach. The proposed BLM rule would halt this progress by trouncing on states’ rights.

In a response to Representative Lamborn (CO-05), Governor Noem talked about how the proposed BLM rule would be not only detrimental to the economy, but harmful to America’s work ethic.

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It looks like it’s a work in progress as they connect social media and update information, but the South Dakota Republican Party has some new information on-line as they test their new website.

I was able to grab a couple of screen grabs before they notice that I noticed, and it goes dark, so sharing:

Looks pretty good.

From Twitter, Governor Kristi Noem testifies in Washington in a House Natural Resources hearing against the administration’s left-wing agenda.

President Biden and his Administration are elevating a left-wing radical environmental agenda, rather than balancing management, conservation, and public safety.

Our farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of our land — they’re the best conservationists I know.

I support HR… pic.twitter.com/OdwswqTzhb

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) June 15, 2023