I first ran for public office for a handful of reasons, but the reason at the heart of everything has always been my kids – and now my grandkids. I ran to ensure that they would be able to live in the same South Dakota that I was born and raised in. I ran so that that they would understand why America is the greatest nation in the history of the world. I ran so that they would learn the small-town values that built the generations before them.

Today, South Dakotans can be confident that their kids will inherit the greatest state we can give them.

As Governor, I have prioritized building a stronger South Dakota that we will be proud to pass on to the next generation.

South Dakota has the strongest economy in the nation. Our people see it in the money that’s staying in their pockets. And the rest of the nation is seeing it too. Freedom-loving people from all over America are picking up their lives and moving to South Dakota.

Just recently, Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed South Dakota’s AAA stable credit rating. The report reads that “South Dakota continues to stand out among US states in terms of its very healthy finances and its low debt, pension, and fixed cost liabilities. These will remain long-term credit strengths that bolster the state’s capacity to attend unforeseen challenges.”

South Dakota’s record-breaking economy is here to stay. We have continued to grow through challenges like a global pandemic and harsh winters – and our economy is equipped to face any challenges that come our way.

Unemployment in South Dakota is the lowest in the history of our state. More than that, it’s the lowest in American history. And we still have open jobs!

This kind of economic success doesn’t just happen overnight. I went into my first term as Governor with a goal to let South Dakotans make decisions for themselves. It is not the role of the government to tell people how to live their lives. And it’s thanks to South Dakota’s fiscal responsibility that our economy has been so successful these last few years.

The people of South Dakota made this possible, and we will continue to give back to them. We will keep supporting our state’s top industries like agriculture and tourism. We will keep passing policies that allow South Dakotans to keep even more of their money in their pockets. And we will keep empowering our citizens to make the best decisions for themselves and for their families.

I am proud of how far South Dakota has come. I am also proud of our work ethic. We are a kind of people that never settle, we never say “good enough.” Even though we have the best economy in America, we are still working to make it better.

I have never been more confident that we will give the next generation a South Dakota that is thriving and growing. Our kids and grandkids will inherit a state that embodies the American Dream – a state that will be a shining beacon of Freedom for years to come.

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Governor Noem Appoints Chris Schilken as Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Krisi Noem announced that Chris Schilken will be the new Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

“Freedom-loving folks from all over the country are moving to South Dakota. It’s the job of my Office of Economic Development to keep our communities growing so that we are ready to welcome new South Dakotans, while continuing to care for our existing businesses,” said Governor Noem. “Chris understands this and will work to develop initiatives to create a South Dakota that we will be proud to pass on to the next generation. I am excited to work with him in this new role.”

Prior to being appointed Commissioner, Schilken served a dual role as GOED’s Deputy Commissioner and Director of Business Development. With a background and passion for economic development, he has overseen over 100 complex projects, valued at billions of dollars in capital investment for the state of South Dakota. Schilken’s actions aided in the addition of 7,000 jobs and 150 projects in the past five years, making him a key ambassador for promoting South Dakota.

“I want to thank Governor Noem for the opportunity to serve as Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development,” said Chris Schilken. “The work that I have gotten to do with GOED over the last five years has been life-changing for myself and for people across the state. I am looking forward to leading this group and working closely with Governor Noem to continue building a stronger South Dakota.”

Schilken and his wife, Erika, live in Watertown, South Dakota with their four children.

Information on GOED can be found here. A photo of Schilken can be found here.

Governor Noem Announces National Guard Deployment to Southern Border

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will be deploying at least 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border later this summer. Governor Noem joins a group of 12 other Republican governors who are answering the call from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to help Texas respond to the crisis at the southern border.

“The border crisis is growing worse under President Biden’s willful inaction. Across the country, crime rates, drug overdoses, and human trafficking have all skyrocketed because our border remains a warzone,” said Governor Noem. “Our National Guard soldiers are the best prepared to tackle this challenge. They have proven that they can serve with excellence in a situation such as this, and I am confident that they will do so again.”

Two years ago, Governor Noem was the first governor to deploy National Guard troops to the southern border at the request of the governors of Texas and Arizona.

Monthly border encounters have increased by 536% since President Biden took office. Average monthly encounters are up to 204,566 to-date in fiscal year 2023. Prior to the Biden Administration, recorded border encounters had only ever been higher than 200,000 in one month in history, which was 23 years ago.

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(Editor’s note.. Just a disclaimer that this is not an endorsement, as I am opposed to the proposal.- PP)

A Time for Term Limits
by Sen. Brent “B.R.” Hoffman

“If we have term limits here in South Dakota, how is it that your opponent has been in the state house for more than 15 years?”

It’s a question I was asked a number of times of my opponent (a nice guy, by the way) during the 2022 primary campaign, but I’m not sure you’re going to like the answer.  Though voters passed an amendment in 1992 limiting legislators to “four consecutive terms or a total of eight consecutive years,” that pesky word “consecutive” has made our term limits little more than a suggestion.  As long as a legislator has a break in service (whether a day, a year or a decade) or is elected to the other chamber, he or she may serve indefinitely, meaning “for an unlimited period of time.”  Some legislators have served more than 25 years.  There is no limit.

Given the widespread public support for term limits, which ranges from 65-85% (depending on the poll) and cuts across party and demographic lines, you’d think it would be an easy fix to remove the word “consecutive” and align term limits with public intent, but nothing is easy in politics.  My proposal in the state senate was placed on life support shortly after introduction and died in committee within minutes.  It was not unexpected, as to my knowledge, no state legislature has ever passed term limits upon itself, including South Dakota.  This is also true at the federal level, where Congress has passed term limits for the president, but will never pass limits upon itself.  You’re welcome to quote me.

Fortunately, there is a solution, as glorious South Dakota is one of 16 states whose constitution allows for direct initiative or amendment.  Not surprisingly, you may find it interesting there are also 16 states with legislative term limits.  The initiated amendment process sets a high bar to place an issue on the ballot, as it should, and it will require upwards of 35,000 signatures to place it on the ballot for the general election of 2024.  Our term limits team is preparing to do just that, and we hope you’ll have the opportunity to vote on this amendment in November.  The amendment language and explanation is pretty straightforward, as it simply removes “consecutive” and limits legislators to eight years in the senate and eight years in the house or a maximum of 16 years.  We believe eight years of service in each chamber is consistent with public intent, good government and the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In the coming months, you’ll likely hear some of the pro and con arguments regarding term limits.  Regardless of the opposition, we’ll be respectful, factual and working hard on those petitions.  Our team will be happy to answer your questions, and we also intend to sponsor debates in several districts across the state.  If we’re successful in placing the amendment on the ballot, we’re confident it will pass, as term limits have always passed in every state with an initiated amendment.

We’re hopeful term limits will improve accountability in our government and the people it serves, and you’re welcome to join us as we launch this effort in the next few weeks.

 —

The author served a career in the military, surviving the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.  He’s a published author, occasional newspaper columnist and currently serves as a state senator for District 9, which includes western Sioux Falls, Hartford and Wall Lake.

Rapid City boutique peanut butter manufacturer “Nerdy Nuts” has apparently dropped an eye popping $10k into a PAC organized for the Rapid City School Board elections taking place next week on June 6th according to campaign finance reports filed with the Rapid City School District.

Campaign Finance Local Jurisdictions – Support Pub Ed-23 Pre Election Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

In addition to the $2,481 that the Support Public Education group raised from itemized and unitemized donors, the big bang came in the form of $10,000 from the Rapid City located peanut butter company “Nerdy Nuts.”

The Support Public Education political action committee appears to have turned around and split the 10k donation between $5000 for “Swan for Schools,” for candidate Walter Swan Jr., who appears to be registered as “Unaffiliated,” and  5000 sent to “Stephenson for Schools,” for Christine Stephenson, who ran as a Democrat in the 2022 District 32 House race.   (Yes, I know School Board candidates do not run on a party basis. I’m just pointing it out).

Nerdy Nuts is operated by Rapid City residents Erika Peterson and Craig Mount.

**Update**

I also notice that Mount individually dropped $1266.71 into the “We Can Do Better Than Gerald Harvey PAC”

From Twitter, looks like more people are getting in on that presidential thing:

BREAKING: Chris Christie To Announce Presidential Bid Next Week
Via @DailyCaller https://t.co/S2ziYWQNVM

— Mary Lou Masters (@MaryLouMasters) May 31, 2023

From Twitter, via Breitbart News:

NEW: @Mike_Pence to enter 2024 presidential race with announcement next week in Des Moines. https://t.co/xc3Nou28gS

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) May 31, 2023

Gov. Noem and Colleagues Oppose Changes to the Loan Level Pricing Adjustment

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and 17 of her fellow Republican governors sent a letter to President Biden and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson opposing the mandated changes to the loan level pricing adjustment (LLPA). You can read the letter here.

“In short, the new LLPA framework will inevitably increase mortgage costs for lower-risk individuals and handicap those borrowers with larger down payments,” wrote Governor Noem and her colleagues. “Further, the changes provide no incentive to borrowers to maintain good credit and will confuse borrowers at all credit levels. Disincentivizing good credit behavior and penalizing responsible Americans during an inflation crisis – which required the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates 10 consecutive times in a year – is wrong and unresponsible.”

The new LLPA framework threatens the American housing system and upends the current financial model that relies on individual responsibility. This will only increase the uncertainty in the housing market and in the United States economy.

“As governors, we promote hard work, accountability, fairness, and opportunity for all our citizens.” continued Governor Noem and her colleagues. “The LLPA mandates blatantly contradict these goals. Therefore, we request you rescind the updated LLPA immediately. If you are unwilling to do so, Congress must take action.”

Governor Noem was joined by the following Republican governors in issuing the statement:

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

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I was recently contemplating the divide within the Republican party, contemplating how it might be bridged. I ask the question because I fear the divide which seems to be ever widening will trigger the loss of elections for the home team.

Unfortunately, Republicans seems to be suffering from an identity crisis.

You have the traditional Reagan Republicans who measure success as… well, success. They measure it in terms of growth, and economic well-being. It’s law and order oriented and has a laissez faire attitude towards government and regulation. It’s what we might traditionally think of as our capitalist system.  Whether it has been community growth or more and better paying jobs, it has been our mantra for decades.

On the other hand, there is a movement of populists within the GOP which has taken root, and seemingly has set itself up as the enemy of “big.”

Virus sweeping across the country killing people, and vaccinations are recommended as the first line of defense? Well, that’s BIG PHARMA trying to take over our lives.

Hey, a group of investors is coming in and putting up wind towers. Well, that’s BIG WIND.

Don’t even get me started on pipelines.   In 2017, you had people like State Rep. Jon Hansen as the prime Sponsor of the riot boosting bill to take on those organizing the pipeline protesters for the Keystone XL Pipeline. In 2023, now populists such as Hansen are part of rallies, and appearing on pillow-guy TV railing on carbon pipelines. With the new wave of populists who could have cared less 5 years ago about pipelines, now it’s BIG ETHANOL that’s being portrayed as the villain.

(3/4) Ethanol producers and elected officials should stand with South Dakota farmers and landowners and reject the use of eminent domain for out-of-state, foreign-investor-backed, for-profit private companies. pic.twitter.com/HWnDwDjOrM

— Jon Hansen (@RepJonHansen) May 25, 2023

Another great example was when the Governor and Dakota State University put together a transformational partnership for DSU’s cyber security expansion in 2022, which would lure as many as 1500 new jobs to the state, and an economic impact of hundreds of millions.. and the populists on appropriations gutted the funding because it was too big.

Or as Rep. Taffy Howard, one of the idiots members of the committee declared when she opposed the measure whether funded or not, “We should allow natural growth.”  Because natural growth would put together 100 million in funding for a public/private/university partnership for a cybersecurity center and drop it in Sioux Falls, South Dakota?

Even within party politics, there are populists who are just dead set against success. They regularly attack Governor Noem. They throw rocks at her, as well as other people they perceive to be Republican party leaders. It’s as if they have an adult case of oppositional defiance disorder and will oppose anyone just for opposition’s sake. One example would be how they rail on about Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck. You can’t argue with his success, since we’re literally down to 4 Democrats in the Senate.  But, the populists regularly attack the Senator for his role in leadership.

There was an article from a couple of years back which talked about Democrat Elizabeth Warren trying to appeal to prairie populism, noting how populists cast their villains:

The American midwest, today a sea of conservative elected officials, wasn’t always this way.  Left-wing populism mattered from the late 19th century, when William Jennings Bryan crusaded against eastern financiers on behalf of humble farmers, into the late nineties and early 2000s, when “prairie populist” senators like South Dakota’s Tom Daschle and Iowa’s Tom Harkin were Democratic stalwarts.

Over time, the midwest’s political animus has changed. In the words of long-serving Iowa Republican senator Chuck Grassley, “in the 1890s it may have been people expecting the government to take on the economic kingpin… now I would describe prairie populism [as] people who have distrust of government.”

You can read that here.

As the movement has evolved since the article was written in 2019, You can’t help but notice that while many South Dakotan’s prefer a small government, the populists within the party seems to be shifting hard to the left with their distrust of anything “big,” trying to paint it as somehow conservative or Republican, a term they use interchangeably as they don’t automatically identify with the party, so they use a buzzword that pops into their heads.

The fact that they are so dead set against anything that seems of scale, you find yourself asking are growth & opportunity now bad? Is success now bad?  Because if all of that is bad, what are we supposed to be working for? How do we ensure continued prosperity and growth?

And that’s the problem with being against everything. You might be able to be against everything, but not everyone is going to buy into that eternal pessimism.  There is the problem that many politicians face that at some point, you actually have to govern.

Governing may include promoting growth. That may include big projects, or thinking in terms of how we grow jobs, benefit a community or an industry. Because if we didn’t do that at some point, we’d all be reading by lantern light, and going down dirt roads.

How Republicans deliver for our community and our state are going to affect how we are viewed in terms of governing.

Those who lose sight of that might just find out the hard way at some point.

Siouxfalls.buiness has a new story out on what’s happening in my neck of the woods, as Brookings is set to explode in terms of business development with a new shopping center property preparing for development, a new interstate interchange in the final stages of completion, and buildings going up left and right:

“Brookings is quickly becoming or going to become the third-largest city in the state. If they haven’t yet, they will be soon,” said Reggie Kuipers, president of Bender Commercial Real Estate Services. “And then, you’ve got this hidden city with 12,000 or 14,000 extra (people) in there nine months out of the year. Brookings is a unique market.”

For the right retailer, it also is a strong one, said Raquel Blount, Lloyd Cos. vice president of commercial real estate, who put together the deal to bring the community’s first stand-alone Starbucks to town last year.

“The sales are phenomenal. They do extremely well, which isn’t surprising,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of demand. A lot of retailers want to be there. The problem is nothing is ever available.”

and..

“You’ve definitely seen a switch turn on in Brookings,” Powell said. “When you look at projected construction activity in the city of Brookings over the next 12 to 18 months compared to what we’ve seen in the past, we’re probably seeing double the amount of annual construction than Brookings is used to that will happen in the next 12 months. They’re definitely seeing a growth spurt. You see it in commercial and in housing.”

Read the entire story here.

I’m on the South end of town, and I have the feeling it’s going to be the middle of town the way growth is continuing here. (Maybe I need to re-up my Real Estate license…)