From Twitter, arguably the best tweet I’ve read today.

Man to Ron DeSantis: “Hi, I’m a state senator from South Dakota, I drove an hour just to see you”

Ron DeSantis: “Oh ok, thanks…” *walks away*

A deeply awkward person. pic.twitter.com/U0Hu91uXKx

— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) May 20, 2023

The president of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, David Owen has a column at the Dakota Scout website today in support of the Summit Carbon pipeline, pointing out how the pipeline is essential to the viability of South Dakota’s future with ethanol production:

The goal of Summit Carbon Solutions, a member of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is to secure voluntary easement agreements with landowners. That plan is working. The company has secured more than 880 easements with roughly 550 South Dakota landowners and 2,750 total landowners across the Midwest. Summit has negotiated terms with landowners, dispersing hundreds of millions of dollars for agreements, with more budgeted for future agreements. Securing agreements takes many months as each property is unique and land ownership is often complex.

Carbon capture and sequestration projects are essential to the viability of South Dakota’s ethanol industry and constitute the market for well over half of the corn grown by the state’s farmers.

California, Washington, Oregon and Canada have established policies that pay a premium for low-carbon fuels and many other states and countries are likely to follow with similar policies in the coming years. We cannot sell to these markets without carbon sequestration enabled by these CO2 pipelines.

Read the entire column here (Subscription required).

At this juncture, it’s more about the ability to sell their product on the marketplace.   As noted, California, Washington, Oregon and Canada are demanding carbon neutrality, and Minnesota is closely behind them.

Literally, you cannot claim to be in favor of the continued health and expansion of South Dakota’s homegrown energy production in the form of ethanol, if one opposes their efforts to remain in the market.

Food for thought.

It is springtime in South Dakota and all things seem new! The grass is growing, new crops are being planted, and baby calves are kicking up their heels enjoying the recent sunshine and good weather. Some days I felt like joining them! But this week, I received some sad news. Sheila Bonrud, a fixture in my office and several Governors before me, passed away. It was a stark reminder that life is precious and that our last interaction with someone may always be that…our last interaction.

I wanted to share a little bit about Sheila with you all for several reasons. For one, her dedication to the people of South Dakota was inspirational and legendary. She started working for the state of South Dakota almost 50 years ago and tried to retire twice…and failed! She loved her work too much to give it up. She helped shepherd our office, and the offices of Governors Janklow, Rounds, and Daugaard through legislative session and much more. Tracking bills, setting up processes, and giving a clear assessment of the situation at hand, were just a few of her special gifts. Her quick wit and fantastic cooking ability gave us opportunities to laugh, break bread together, and learn a little history from her when she shared her stories. And by the way, she made a wonderful noodle salad!

“Sheila’s list” was a document she shared with everyone daily that we all depended on to keep the train’s running on time during session. When she would hurry into a room to deliver it to us all during a busy day, we could always count on her to summarize the situation at hand with policymaking that day. “It’s sure a show upstairs today!” or “I’ll get the info to you when they decide they want to share it with those of us who have to DO it!” I asked my staff to describe Sheila to you all and these were the words that rose to the top. Patient, reliable, funny, sharp and accountable. She loved to work and enjoyed mentoring younger people in my office, especially young women.

In summary, Sheila was a gem. As much as she invested in us with her gifts and talents, she also shared herself with her family and community. Sheila was special, loved by all and she lived a life of significance.

The lesson I take from Sheila’s life is this. Enjoy the new beginnings spring brings us, but may we also remember the gifts surrounding us each day that makes South Dakota special. It is our people and the relationships we have with them that will change our lives. And there are many people in state government, local government and other roles in our lives who are dedicated to helping people. They may not ever get their name in the paper or be at the top of the news hour on the local tv station, but they deserve our thanks for serving us. Sheila will be greatly missed by all of us in our office, but we are so thankful God placed her in our lives to enjoy and learn from. Her faith taught her, as it teaches us, that “those who die in God’s grace and friendship live forever with Christ.” What a wonderful faith we share that brings us all hope to see those we love again someday when all things will be made new again.

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In a new documentary on the life and passing of actress Anna Nicole Smith, Sioux Falls resident and former reality TV Star Mitchell Olson is featured as one of the many people offering commentary on the life of the former Playboy model and Guess Jeans spokeswoman.

Olson had made an appearance on the Anna Nicole show, as noted in the documentary, and is noted in the show as a friend of Smith, who passed away in 2007.

South Dakotans know Olson as having appeared on the TV Reality show Survivor in 2002.

South Dakota politicos may also recall Olson as having been involved in post-election chaos that we all remember surrounding US Senate candidate Annette Bosworth, as Olson had filed a lawsuit noting he had been hired by the Dr. Annette Bosworth Legal Defense Fund in June 2016 as a consultant, and was stiffed for $24,000.

You can watch the documentary Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me currently on Netflix.

In the prior post, I noted that legislators could be looking at pushing back on kids attending drag shows using liquor licenses as a preventative hammer. Which is ironic, because it comes at the same time that a national LGBTQ+ group has announced that they’re coming to SD to train more candidates after a bill that targeted drag shows at public universities was debated.

According to Dakota News Now:

..a national, nonprofit group based out of Washington, D.C., that tours the country to recruit and train LGBTQ+ political candidates is coming to Sioux Falls on Saturday for the Sioux Falls LGBTQ+ Leadership Summit.

and..

He attended a four-day LGBTQ+ Victory Institute training course in Portland, one of three that group stages per year. Events like Saturday’s one-day course in Sioux Falls occur four times per year.

Given those tools from the Victory camp — and some financial backing by Victory’s sister PAC, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund — Nelson finished second place in a new district that sends two members to the House of Representatives.

and..

“We play the long game at Victory Institute, so we know that this is a war, not just a battle. Most importantly, we need to send a clear message that we are not going back. We are not going to take an off year. We’re not going to stop running for office.”

Read the entire story here.

With one side of the culture war recruiting candidates to beat Republicans because they vote against drag shows , and the other side fighting to keep kids from being exposed to drag shows, it looks like South Dakota is firmly in the crosshairs of the national culture wars.

Should make for an interesting election in 2024.

The controversy over kids at drag shows last year triggered a review on what content our State Universities allow minors on campus to be in the presence of. And from the sounds of things, legislators might not be done with the topic, as in a facebook exchange, one legislator brings up an approach used in other states.

In a Facebook exchange today after State Rep. Carl Perry pointed out an all-age drag show coming to the Red Rooster in Aberdeen, State Representative Kevin Jensen points out that the legislature has little recourse, except to pull state/local licensing for those who want to put children in the middle of the adult burlesque acts.

Aside from noting “Drag shows are a sick perversion indoctrinating young minds,” in particular, Jensen brings up stopping them through “city or county permits, especially if they serve alcohol.”

Is this foreshadowing of legislation that we might see brought forward next session? Based on what’s happening in Florida, it would not be unheard of.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has been cracking down on liquor license holders for lewd drag shows being hosted in the presence of children:

Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed a 17-page complaint against the Hyatt Tuesday for violating a state statute that prohibits lewd or lascivious exhibition in front of those 16 years and younger.

and..

Before the show debuted, the department issued a warning to the Hyatt that it must not admit minors or else risk losing its alcohol license. But the venue still admitted minors as long as they were accompanied by an adult.

“Although Respondent [the Hyatt] updated its advertising to include a disclaimer that the Show was ‘[r]ecommended for audiences 18+,’ Respondent’s admission policies specifically allowed for minor children to attend if ‘accompanied by an adult,’” the complaint reads. “As a result, minors attended and were knowingly admitted into the Show by Respondent, including children appearing less than 16 years of age.”

Florida’s business department is under the authority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supports the complaint.

“Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law,” DeSantis Press Secretary Bryan Griffin told Business Insider. “Governor DeSantis stands up for the innocence of children in the classroom and throughout Florida.”

Read the entire story here.

I don’t know that many South Dakotans would consider sexualized dancing as they beg for tips as appropriate entertainment for children, no matter the gender.

And as one legislator notes, it might be one way they can stop it.

From the Washington Examiner, South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has apparently lent his endorsement to South Carolina Senator Tim Scott in his pursuit of the White House over other contenders, such as Ron DeSantis or Donald Trump:

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) has committed to backing his fellow Republican colleague Tim Scott (R-SC) as he prepares to launch a run for the White House in 2024.

Rounds has offered effusive praise for the South Carolina senator in recent days and on Wednesday revealed his endorsement in an interview with the Washington Examiner. He is the first senator to support the nascent campaign of Scott, who is expected to launch his candidacy in his hometown of North Charleston on Monday.

“I do,” the senator said when asked if he plans on endorsing Scott. “I’ve already told him I would.”

“I think he is the closest to Ronald Reagan that you’re going to see,” Rounds added.

and..

Rounds has pushed back on the former president’s rhetoric and his claims that the 2020 election was stolen. He signaled Scott’s message of optimism could resonate among a primary electorate that has in the past gravitated to the brawler persona of Trump.

Read the entire story here.

AG Jackley Joins Letter Urging Protection of Title IX

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined Attorneys Generals from 15 other states in urging the Biden Administration to uphold Title IX protections for women and girls.

In their letters to the U.S. Department of Education, the Attorneys General voiced their opposition to the federal agency’s proposal that would strip states of their power to prevent biological males from competing in female sports.

“This is both a states’ right and privacy issue for females who are forced to compete against males in the same sport,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This proposal, if approved, would threaten the progress that Title IX has made in protecting women and girls for the past 50 years.”

Attorney General Jackley joined Attorneys General from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia in voicing support for the Women’s Bill of Rights.

The Women’s Bill of Rights can found here: https://womensbillofrights.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgZPir-36_gIVuBWtBh1oRAqTEAAYASAAEgLPNPD_BwE

Gov. Noem and Colleagues Work to Secure Southern Border

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD) joined her fellow Republican governors in committing to continuing their efforts to secure our Southern border. The federal government’s recent decision to allow Title 42 to expire is expected to lead to record numbers of migrants being admitted into the U.S.

“While the federal government has abdicated its duties, Republican governors stand ready to protect the U.S.-Mexico border and keep families safe,” said Governor Noem and her colleagues. “Every state is a border state. All states have suffered from the effects of human trafficking and deadly illegal drugs coming across the border. Republican governors are leading the way to address the border crisis by enhancing penalties for fentanyl crimes and human trafficking while also increasing support for law enforcement.”

Governor Noem has long recognized the crisis at the border, and in 2021, she deployed South Dakota National Guard troops, helicopters, and equipment to the border in response to Governor Doug Ducey’s (R-AZ) and Governor Greg Abbott’s (R-TX) request for help. During their deployment, the South Dakota guard members personally encountered more than 6,000 individuals crossing the border illegally and witnessed firsthand the scope of the drug smuggling and human trafficking taking place. Later that year, in response to additional requests for aid, Governor Noem deployed an additional 125 members of the National Guard to the border.

In South Dakota, Governor Noem has responded to the impacts of the failure at the border by empowering law enforcement, supporting anti-trafficking organizations, and investing in new prisons and other public safety efforts.

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From Twitter:

The offices of our #ConstituentServices finalists have demonstrated excellence through specific practices that are thoroughly rooted in the office’s values and incorporated into the office’s work, re: specific, methodical, and consistent processes for achieving measurable results pic.twitter.com/6lXKdiTa8T

— CMF (@congressfdn) May 17, 2023