I think my head hurts after reading this one. Deputy Secretary of State Tom Deadrick is insisting to the news media that an e-mail is not a written request, as he stonewalls, delays, and has to eventually relent because they lack staff to supervise people reviewing records.

“We are requiring that all requests for public records be in writing,” Deadrick replied on Jan. 10. “Emails will not be accepted. This is for tracking purposes on our end in order that we can best comply with the relevant statutes.”

and..

When it became clear that wasn’t going to work, I shifted strategies and asked how, precisely, I was supposed to comply with the “in writing” policy. Was I supposed to print out my email and mail it in? And if so, why wouldn’t the office just print the email I’d already sent? Or would I be required to hand-write a note and mail that in?

Deadrick told me a typed letter on official letterhead, sent through the mail, would suffice. I complied.

and..

He responded with an email saying that since I was willing to make the drive, and since the office was busy with the legislative session and therefore wouldn’t have adequate staff to “monitor” me, he was “willing to make a one-time exception” to the fee. He attached digital copies of the pardon records to the email.

Read that here.

You need to read this. This kind of bureaucracy is dystopian and dysfunctional in the face of what is supposed to be open government.

Former State Rep. Taffy Howard has apparently become a lobbyist for US Term Limits:

Howard will serve as the South Dakota State Chair for U.S. Term Limits. The organization, which is based out of Washington, D.C., states their mission is to enact and defend term limits on elected offices at all levels of government via the ballot box, legislatures and the courts with an ultimate aim of enacting a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Read it here.

Although, I would venture that for the time being, she’ll spend most of her time being a DC lobbyist or in other states, since she’s legally banned from lobbying in SD until January 2025.

But I’m sure that’s fine, since we’re not used to her being in Pierre the entire time she’s supposed to be anyway.

During the Easter season, we spend time with our families, we celebrate with our friends and neighbors, and we are thankful for our many blessings. It’s a time when people come together to help one another; to love one another.

South Dakotans have been through a brutal winter this year, with many severe storms from December through April. It has been a struggle, but one we have gotten through together. Through small acts of kindness and by lending a helping hand, South Dakotans continue to show their strength even in difficult times.

We often think of Easter as a celebration of the light, but it is also a celebration of the darkness. The joy of Easter Sunday means nothing without the sorrow that comes before it. And if there is one thing that the people of South Dakota have taught me, it’s that tough times are always easier to get through together.

The Bible tells us to love thy neighbor as we love ourselves. And this winter, South Dakotans have done so time and time again. I have seen folks helping ranchers bring in their cattle ahead of a winter storm, clearing neighbors’ driveways to help them get to work on time, and bringing homecooked meals to friends in need. I truly think that no one loves their neighbor better than a South Dakotan.

I commend our people for their hope and for their faith: the hope that we would get through this treacherous winter, and their faith that springtime is coming. Easter reminds us of these things.

Just as spring brings new life to the earth, so does Jesus bring new life to us.

I do not know how much longer our winter will last, but I do know that spring is coming. Warmer days are ahead. And South Dakotans will help one another and love one another just as much in the warmth as we have in the cold. That’s just how we operate.

I am proud of what our people have endured. We always seem to come out of tough times stronger than before. The people of South Dakota have earned my trust, my respect, and my faith – and I will always do my best to be worthy of theirs.

So I wish everyone a very Happy Easter. I hope that you can spend this season with those that you love. And I thank you, South Dakotans, for always being there for each other – for embodying the kind of love that Jesus has for us through your love for one another. You are a light in this world, a little glimpse of springtime. May God continue to bless each and every one of you.

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Gov. Noem to President Biden: “We’ll See You in Court”

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that South Dakota will “see [President Biden] in court” over the Biden Administration’s proposed reimagination of Title IX, which exists to protect equal opportunities for girls.

“South Dakota will not allow this to stand. We will lead. We will defend our laws. Only girls will play girls’ sports. President Biden, we’ll see you in court,” Governor Noem tweeted.

Last year, Governor Noem signed the toughest bill in the nation to protect girls’ sports. She followed that action by leading a letter co-signed by 15 Republican governors urging the Biden Administration not to take this action.

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The New York Times is pointing out South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson’s influence in Washington as he argues that work is important for able-bodied Food Stamp recipients, and is leading a number of conservative legislators on the issue.

Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, a favorite of Republican leadership, introduced legislation earlier this year that would make able-bodied adults without dependents subject to work requirements until they are 65 years old, raising the current age from 49. The bill would substantially narrow an exemption from work requirements for some people in households with children under 18, excusing only those whose households include children under the age of 7. And it would make it more difficult for states to give work requirement waivers, taking away their ability to request that the mandate be relaxed if there are not enough jobs to provide recipients employment.

and..

Mr. Johnson, who also grew up on food stamps and is now chairman of the Republican Main Street Caucus, is considered one of the most influential mainstream conservatives in the House. But most of the lawmakers who have co-sponsored the legislation so far are either members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus or lawmakers from safe seats. Of the 38 Republicans who have signed on, only three represent competitive districts.

Read the entire story here.

This comes as no shocker, as Dusty has been cited as one of the most popular political figures in the state.

Johnson, Spanberger Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect 340B Program, Prevent Higher Drug Prices

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) introduced a bipartisan bill that would prohibit

health insurers and PBMs from discriminating against 340B Drug Pricing Program providers or their contract pharmacies on the basis of their status as providers or pharmacies that dispense 340B drugs.

The Preserving Rules Ordered for the Entities Covered Through (PROTECT) 340B Act addresses concerns from healthcare providers in South Dakota and across the country — particularly in rural areas — that have seen their access to the program threatened by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), insurers, and pharmaceutical companies. Specifically, the Spanberger-Johnson legislation would prevent companies from treating 340B providers differently with regards to reimbursement of fees, participation in standard or preferred networks, or inventory management systems — and it would block them from interfering in a patient’s choice to receive drugs from a 340B pharmacy.

“340B is an essential program for rural and low-income hospitals and patients,” said Johnson.  “South Dakotans rely on this program to access affordable drugs and medicines they need. ThePROTECT 340B Act will ensure the quality of care for communities that need it.”

“The 340B Program lowers prescription drug costs and saves money for seniors and families, especially those in rural and underserved communities. But in recent years, we’ve seen for-profit insurance companies and the shadowy middlemen of the pharmaceutical industry — known as pharmacy benefit managers — undermine these discounts, target 340B providers, and threaten the very survival of this program,” said Spanberger. “The PROTECT 340B Act would hold these actors accountable for trying to take away the savings of American consumers. I want to thank my colleague Congressman Johnson for his partnership on this issue, and we’ll keep working to level the playing field for 340B pharmacies and providers, maintain access to discounted medications, and protect the financial security of patients in Virginia and across the country.”

“The Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas appreciates Representative Johnson’s strong support for the 340B program and his leadership in introducing the Protect 340B Act. The 340B program enables community health centers across the state to provide life-saving medications to our patients at lower costs. As prescription drug costs put pressure on the budgets of so many South Dakota families, Representative Johnson is responding with solutions that will make a difference,” said Shelly Ten Napel, CEO of Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas.

“Avera Health commends Representative Johnson for his efforts to protect 340B hospitals and patients who rely on them for care. Avera is a nonprofit health system with 30 hospitals in the 340B program serving patients in need in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. Without access to our critical, specialized services and support funded by 340B, many patients unable to travel to reach the next nearest healthcare facility offering such care would be negatively impacted. This bipartisan legislation is important because it would help ensure 340B resources are directed towards patients in need of this comprehensive care in their communities. On behalf of those patients, we thank these 340B champions for their leadership on this issue,” said Melissa Goff, Vice President of Pharmacy at Avera.

“340B hospitals applaud Representatives Johnson and Spanberger for their strong leadership to protect safety-net providers from discriminatory payment behavior by pharmacy benefit managers and insurance companies. 340B savings provide crucial resources to hospitals and other providers caring for patients with low incomes and those living in rural communities. PBMs and payers undermine that investment in patient care when they pay less to covered entities based solely on their participation in 340B. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that those 340B dollars go to care for patients of the health care safety net as Congress intended and not into more profits for PBMs and insurers,” said Maureen Testoni, 340B Health President and CEO.

“Essential hospitals thank Reps. Johnson and Spanberger for introducing the PROTECT 340B Act. The 340B program is vital to millions of low-income patients and our nation’s health care safety net. We call on Congress to defend the 340B program against drug industry attacks by passing this important legislation,” said Dr. Bruce Siegel, President & CEO, America’s Essential Hospitals

“With sixty percent of Sanford Health patients living in rural areas, 340B provides crucial support. Sanford Health relies on 340B to stretch scarce healthcare dollars, increasing our ability to support critical health services in our communities. Protection of the program allows us to maintain access and invest in care delivery in our communities. We are thankful for Representative Johnson’s support to this essential program,” said Corey Brown, System Vice President Government Relations, Sanford.

“The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations appreciates Congressman Johnson and his efforts in supporting protections for hospitals and providers through the PROTECT 340B Act.  This proposed legislation, should it become law will assure access to healthcare Services in South Dakota, benefiting patients and our members statewide,” said Tim Rave, President and CEO, SDAHO.

Click here to read the full bill text.

 

Background:

The 340B Drug Pricing Program was enacted by Congress in 1992 with bipartisan support and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program requires that pharmaceutical companies give safety-net and rural healthcare providers discounts on their drugs, in exchange for having their drugs covered by Medicaid.

The program has a demonstrated record of protecting patients who are low-income, live in underserved communities, or suffer from serious chronic illnesses from the threat of skyrocketing prices for the drugs they depend on the most.

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If you’re following the controversy over party-infighting between people getting involved with the party at the local level for the first time trying to toss out those who have been involved for years or decades, there are a few realities that come to mind.

It’s apparent that these groups haven’t really thought it out very hard about what happens when they get their way and they’re now “in charge,” and they can proceed on their mission of “replacing ‘establishment Republicans’ with grassroots conservatives,” as the coalition of confederates claim to be doing.

A couple of items bring to light the headaches that they’ve set themselves up for.

 

A climate of distrust.

If you recall a recent article in the Yankton Press and Dakotan, a situation came to light where the outgoing leadership of the Yankton County Republican Party determined that they felt they needed to create a Political Action Committee to ensure that funds raised from the donor base went to their intended goal, to support candidates, because they didn’t believe that the incoming group would spend them for those purposes.

The Yankton County Republicans are seeking a sheriff’s investigation into three former board members’ transfer of $12,000 last fall from party funds to a political action committee (PAC).

And..

“We did this (PAC) before the meeting (where they elected new officers). We weren’t reacting to anything,” he said. “We just thought it was prudent to put aside the funds, that it was a good move.”

The former board members are following state GOP by-laws, Meyer said. In addition, he said he conferred with the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office in setting up the PAC.

And..

The former board members didn’t transfer the full amount in the Yankton County GOP treasury, he said. The county party still has a mailing list while another copy of the list remains in private hands, he noted.

As for the Facebook page, the site belongs to a GOP member and not the party, he added.

Read the entire article here.

The new people involved in the Yankton County Party are just howling, but a political party forming a political action committee is not uncommon, nor is shifting funds between the two. Completely legal, and fairly common.

The only difference here is that the new group of county people are trying to rescind the action of the old, and are being told no.  And it sounds as if the group is in significant disarray.

There’s also rumors that the new group may be filing suit against the old. In effect, the new group spending what limited funds they have on an attorney to try to claw back money legally spent by the old group to support candidates.

What kind of message does that send to donors, large and small?  It’s not a good one.

As messy as the Yankton County GOP is, the Minnehaha County group is even more of a cautionary tale.

Back 30 years ago, the Minnehaha County Republican Party had a well-funded and long-established organization, which had an executive secretary, with sometimes more employees.  In the late 2000’s the internal organization of the office started to crumble, but fundraising and events were still going reasonably strong.   That is, until Lora. In 2012, Lora Hubbel was the first wave of the political outsiders to hit Minnehaha County – and it literally crashed the organization overnight. And it has not recovered to any significant degree since.

In their first meeting this year, the Minnehaha County GOP has announced they had either $1400 in the bank, or $4500, but they weren’t sure. So now they’re raffling portions of a donated hog, valued at $500.

The biggest county in the state has less than $5000 in the bank? That’s a bit of a head-scratcher, because for the state’s largest county, you would think the chair has the ability to raise ten times $500 in a brief period of phone calls. You would think.

But, I have the feeling the number of willing donors in those circles are not exactly opening up their checkbook.

With the rhetoric coming from a number of these groups calling for the excommunication of ‘establishment republicans,’ there is a strong climate of distrust. And as Yankton and Minnehaha are finding out, it’s bad for their bottom line.  People won’t give money to groups they don’t trust.

 

Blowing up the Pyramid of Giving

If you’ve spent any significant time involved in fundraising, you’ve heard of the pyramid of giving.. and if you’ve heard of it, it’s clear that the people involved in these groups demanding the ouster of long-time volunteers, and the repudiation of ‘establishment politicians’ don’t have a clue on how to raise funds for a stable and functional organization.

The pyramid of giving is really, fundraising 101 for organizations and non-profits. And grasping the concepts are how an organization can make the shift from short term efforts to long-term goals.

This might be the best example of it I can find that’s applicable to the area of political organizations..

 

As you can see, it involves donor acquisition, getting them used to donating on a regular basis as you move them up the pyramid, and possibly getting them all in for larger and larger donations.  I don’t know that I agree completely with this example, as letters are lower level in this field, as if you want larger political donations, there’s more of a personal element to the ask. But you get the hint.

Now, some say a more modern version of the pyramid is a funnel..

 

 

Which I stole from here.. (Please visit their website)… but it’s the same principle. You engage with people, and over time you build their engagement to the point where they are foundational.

Healthy organizations are going to be constantly working at all levels to bring people into the pyramid (or funnel) of giving.. and this is something that takes YEARS, if not decades, to gain their personal investment into the group or cause to the point where they’re willing to make major or transformational gifts to a county Republican organization.

People are not going to build their involvement in a group to the point where they make generational gifts to a county Republican organization when there are people who come in and express their goals are to completely nuke the Republican organization and throw people out.  It literally is the most counterproductive thing to organizational efforts that they could do!

If you blow an organization up about the time people become a repeat donor, you are not going to achieve organizational stability and long-term growth. You’re going to have to start over every time.

A fact, as Minnehaha has found, and I’m sure Yankton will find out if they haven’t already.

 

Who cares if we throw those guys out?

Of course, there are those who have blinders on, and will cluck around the chicken coop saying “who cares if we throw those guys out?”   For party organizations, they should. They really, really should. Because it directly affects their longevity as a group, and their ability to conduct activities.

With campaigns, I was taught that a successful campaign is a mixture of experienced campaign veterans and new people with enthusiasm and energy. They both benefit each other.  The same goes with party organizations.  Organizations without new blood – even if they are good – will become stagnant and outdated. Organizations without experience will make some really dumb mistakes, and have to re-learn everything, sometimes in a painful manner.

Contrary to what some may think, political party organizations are extremely challenged to raise funds, because they are the least sexy aspect when it comes to receiving donations.

If I have limited resources, and my options are a candidate I like, who believes the same things I do, versus the county party organization, who is saying they want to throw out all the establishment republicans, or have craziness like people claiming vaccines cause autism or they can heal illness with essential oils… guess who I’m going to support? The candidate.  People will donate to candidates first and foremost almost every time and will skip the party unless their relationship with the party is foundational to their goals.   

Speaking as someone who has been involved in campaigns for several decades now (or as my daughter claims, it’s my I’m old line), county political organizations are a tool for candidates if they can provide useful resources.

If candidates can rely on them for assistance with volunteers, support them in some manner at election time, help with mailings, sign locations, etcetera, that’s a great thing.  If not? Well, then they become an obstacle to go around. And candidates do not spend a lot of time debating whether they should do so or not. It’s a snap judgement, and then the candidates move on with their own volunteers and their own fundraising.

Which leaves the organization a bit in an awkward situation when they claim they’re helping the candidates, and the candidates will directly express to anyone that asks that they can’t rely on them.  Over time, it will wear on that group.

 

Elections are still actually about the future

It used to be that Republicans would have their primary election fights, and then at times bruised and battered, at least begrudgingly move forward towards running the election in the fall against Democrats.

But especially over the past two elections, there’s a climate where there are those who are less interested in uniting as a group for mutual goals are more focused on being the group “in charge,” claiming to be the true Republicans and ignoring the fact that those they call the ‘establishment’ were a decade ago the ‘grassroot conservatives’ they themselves try to lay title to at this point.

I would offer to them that it might be a rude awakening in 2033 when they find themselves called the ‘establishment moderates’ when a new generation of republicans try to flex their muscle because they want to be the ones in charge, pushing out those they consider old guard in the future.

In perspective, it’s very generational, and it’s all happened before.

Probably the best advice to offer groups who aren’t interested in history, and wish to declare their version of republicanism is supreme, is to go ahead, and lead by example. Put the work in, and show us how you have raised tremendous amounts of money, built a group that will stand the test of time and be there after you’re gone, and put us all to shame.  And most importantly, get candidates elected.

Because we will know if you don’t, and electing candidates is what county organizations are supposed to be about.

Elections are about the future. And that is what we should all be working towards.

The Minnehaha County GOP announced this afternoon that they’re selling tickets to a Hog Raffle to benefit the Minnehaha County GOP and it’s candidates.

Unfortunately, it looks like they might have got the cart before the hog. While they actually did file the raffle with the city of Sioux Falls..

… they apparently skipped the part where it says “raffle tickets cannot be sold… by an authorized organization until 30 days after filing this form with the Sioux Falls City Clerk.”  And they even put it on the form the date they can start selling them – April 11.  Which is next week.   

You know, they should get someone who knows about this stuff to be chair of the county organization, like an attorney.

I do see that while the ad says the funds are for the party and the candidates, according to the form, the proceeds are to be used for “Party Development.”

So, we’ll see how much they actually end up dedicating for candidates the latter part of next year.

I just stumbled across this, and couldn’t help but chuckle.  From the November 1978 election as published in the Rapid City Journal.

With a new regime in charge of the Minnehaha County GOP, you’d think their earliest priority would be to start raising money and reaching out to their elected officials so they can deliver a win in 2024.

Or.. they could help a group of election deniers bring more election deniers to town, because it checks the box for a very small group of fanatics.

According to a new facebook post by the Minnehaha County GOP..

Or, as the long-time Republican who sent this to me said, the **** is this? (They did use asterisks)

Apparently on behalf of the SD Canvassing Group, the Minnehaha GOP is advertising an event for an election denier from New Mexico, David Clements, who had previously appeared at the pillow guy’s election lunacy event in Sioux Falls, and Robert Borer from Nebraska, who came in second in a primary for Secretary of State, and was a really unsuccessful write-in candidate for Governor.

So, is the Minnehaha GOP going to support every off the wall group claiming to be Republican?

I probably know better than to ask that after the 2021 rally before Jan 6 with the proud boys, as you can see in this picture ‘protecting’ former Minnehaha County GOP Vice Chair Cole Heisey on the stage.

As I said back then, and it continues to hold true,

In the realm of politics, I believe there are 20% who are always with you, 20% who will never support you, making it your job to convince the 60% in the middle that you provide better leadership than the other person or group. So, when there’s a rally with that kind of imagery, it might make it more challenging to convince that 60% that you share their beliefs and gain their trust to lead South Dakota.  You actually have to convince the soccer moms and state workers to vote for you along with the local gun club members.

Before Republican groups lend their cachet to other organizations, promoting them and advertising them, they should strongly consider how much of their credibility they squander when they hold up groups like the proud boys or the crew of out-of-state election deniers?

The election denier event isn’t going to cause the 60% of swing-vote Sioux Falls urban dwelling Republicans who are firmly in the middle to flock to the party.

If anything, it’s going to nibble away at our majority.