This week, six proud South Dakotans began military training at their respective service academies. These young men are some of the most motivated and determined I’ve had the honor of nominating to the academies.

A leader in his local MCJROTC program, Jason Lenning of Harrisburg wants to major in Foreign Area Studies and Russian at the Naval Academy and then join the Marine Corps. Approximately thirty percent of Naval Academy graduates commission as Marines.  

While the Kistner Family of North Sioux City was touring the Naval Academy, then-sixth-grader Lake was enthralled with the rich history and creed of the Midshipmen. He told his dad he would one day go to school there. Now he is living out his dream.

Kasey Broers of Pierre will be studying Mechanical Engineering at the Naval Academy and hopes to fly Navy jets. Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen has been preparing for West Point in the gym and is looking forward to basic training and starting his engineering program. 

Dexter James of Sioux Falls and Anders Enga of Mitchell both aspire to study engineering and join the Space Force. Only about ten percent – that’s about 100 people – of Air Force Academy graduates commission into the Space Force. These are not common ambitions for most eighteen-year-olds and are very inspiring.

A special hat tip to Anders for his perseverance. It is not unusual for it to take an additional year or two for students to be selected by an academy, and this was true for Anders. He decided to enroll at SDSU and the AFROTC in the interim, knowing that attending the Air Force Academy was his ultimate goal, even if it took him longer than he originally hoped.

These young men are the elite of the elite. They reaffirm that South Dakota will continue to have strong, smart leaders willing to protect and defend our great nation.

I also want to mention Maya Lee of Dell Rapids because the Air Force Academy has selected her for a prep school. This will be a great opportunity to prepare for the Academy next year.

If you know someone interested in learning more about attending a service academy, direct them to my website at dustyjohnson.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations. Applications are due at the end of October for the Class of 2028.

Photos of the Service Academy Nominees here.

Thune Statement on Supreme Court Striking Down President Biden’s Student Loan Scheme

“Instead of putting together a real plan to lower the costs of higher education, President Biden put forward an unserious scheme to force 87 percent of Americans who do not have student loan debt to bear the costs of the 13 percent of Americans who do.” 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision in Biden v. Nebraska, which struck down President Biden’s reckless and costly student loan bailout executive order:

“Not only was President Biden’s budget-busting student loan bailout fundamentally unfair, now it has been found unconstitutional,” said Thune. “Instead of putting together a real plan to lower the costs of higher education, President Biden put forward an unserious scheme to force 87 percent of Americans who do not have student loan debt to bear the costs of the 13 percent of Americans who do. Anyone frustrated by today’s decision should direct their complaints to the White House, where they knew this executive order would likely be struck down by the courts but did nothing whatsoever to meaningfully address exorbitant costs in higher education.”

Last week, Thune spoke about this issue at the weekly Senate Republican leadership press conference.

Earlier this month, Thune and Sens. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) urged U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to abandon the agency’s costly student loan forgiveness efforts and instead focus on preparing borrowers and loan servicers to resume student loan repayments. The senators’ letter also requests information regarding how much staff time and taxpayer dollars have gone toward setting up and carrying out the Biden administration’s student loan agenda.

In February, Thune and Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) reintroduced the Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act. The legislation would have ended President Biden’s untargeted, budget-busting suspension of repayments on qualifying federal student loans. The bill also would have still allowed the president to temporarily suspend repayment for certain low- and middle-income borrowers, as well as members of the armed forces during a time of war or national emergency. The bill would have also prohibited the president from cancelling outstanding federal student loan obligations due to a national emergency.

Thune has led common-sense measures to address the problem of student debt. In December 2020, Congress passed a five-year version of legislation Thune introduced with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) to allow employers to help employees repay their loans. Thune and Warner’s Employer Participation in Repayment Act amends the Educational Assistance Program to permit employers to make tax-free payments on their employees’ student loans.

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Johnson Supports SCOTUS Ruling on Student Debt Forgiveness 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statement responding to the Supreme Court’s Biden v. Nebraska decision, ruling President Biden’s plan to forgive $500 billion of student debt is unconstitutional:

“Forgiving tens of thousands of dollars in debt for those who haven’t made payments in years is insulting to the millions of Americans who have paid back every penny they borrowed,” said Johnson. “The cost of this debt forgiveness would be a baffling $500 billion or more. Our national debt is skyrocketing, and a policy like President Biden’s would only make it worse.”

Johnson has been opposed to the Administration’s policy to cancel student debt since it was announced. He has supported bills such as the Can’t Cancel Your Own Debt Act and the Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act. In May, he voted to restart student debt payments.

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Ag Preservation Bill Goes into Effect July 1 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Noem’s bill to preserve the agriculture industry in South Dakota, HB 1090, will go into effect on July 1^st. The prime sponsors of this legislation were Sen. Joshua Klumb (R-20) and Rep. James Wangsness (R-23).

“Agriculture is a $32 billion industry, making it the largest in South Dakota by far – and we must preserve it for future generations. Ag accounts for 1 out of every 5 jobs in the state,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “As our economy continues to break record after record, it is more important now than ever that we preserve our ag industry so that we can pass these opportunities on to our kids and grandkids.”

This bill protects operations from frivolous claims that can delay development and increase costs for producers. It does this by providing additional liability protection for agricultural operations in the event that a nuisance claim is filed against them.

South Dakota will not let frivolous complaints undermine the hard-working farmers and rancher who get up every day to keep South Dakota, and the entire country, fed.

HB 1029 will also go into effect on July 1^st. This bill removes legislative amendments made to the county zoning reform bill in 2020, restoring the bill back to the way it was intended. It also allows for approval of a conditional use by an affirmative majority vote of the members of the approving authority who are present and voting. Current law calls for approval of a majority of the entire approving authority, with those absent from the meeting counting as an automatic “no” vote. This will create a better county zoning process and increase economic potential for South Dakota.

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Rounds Leads Legislation to Rename Post Office in Honor of Fallen Army Staff Sergeant Robb Rolfing 

SIOUX FALLS – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation to designate a Sioux Falls post office as the “Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing Post Office Building.” On this day in 2007, Staff Sgt. Rolfing died in Iraq while serving his country. He was 29 years old.

“Staff Sgt. Rolfing represents the best of our country,” said Rounds. “He and so many others who have worn the uniform made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. I had the honor of speaking at his funeral service while I was working as governor. Now, 16 years later, it is an honor to introduce legislation to memorialize his service. The Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing Post Office Building will stand as a lasting reminder of this selfless hometown hero who answered the call of duty.”

Staff Sgt. Rolfing died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq on June 30, 2007. He was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Carson, Colorado. He was killed by small arms fire while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Arabian Peninsula.

“We would like to thank Sen. Rounds and the American Legion Auxiliary for continuing Robb’s legacy of service to his country,” said Staff Sgt. Rolfing’s parents, Margie and Rex Rolfing.

BACKGROUND (Courtesy of Green Beret Foundation):

Staff Sgt. Rolfing was born on December 4, 1977. He was originally from Sioux Falls and graduated from O’Gorman High School. Three years after graduating from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York with a degree in astronomy, Staff Sgt. Rolfing enlisted in the Army in January 2003 as an infantryman. Upon completing basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and joined the “Rakkasans” in Iraq as an automatic rifleman on his first deployment. In 2004, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He graduated from SFQC and earned the Special Forces tab in 2005 and was then assigned to 10th SFG(A).

Staff Sgt. Rolfing’s military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course and the Basic Air Assault Course. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab. Staff Sgt. Rolfing is survived by his parents Margie and Rex Rolfing, his brother Todd Rolfing and his sister Tiffany Rolfing of Sioux Falls.

This legislation is supported by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15, where Staff Sgt. Rolfing’s mother, Margie, is a member. Of three post offices located within the city of Sioux Falls, the post office located at 320 South 2nd Avenue was chosen due to its proximity to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15.

“American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15 is honored to have submitted and have approved Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing’s name adorning our Sioux Falls Post Office,” said Kellie Heazlett, President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15. “Staff Sergeant Rolfing made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and should be held in a place of honor. We are honored to have his mother, Margie Rolfing, as a member of our auxiliary and as a Gold Star Mother. Let us never forget about all our veterans who served and are currently serving to protect our great country!”

“It’s an honor to be part of local and federal governments coming together to pay tribute to a Sioux Falls hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls. “It is only fitting that we permanently recognize Staff Sgt. Robb L Rolfing in this way, serving as a daily reminder that our freedoms exist because of the selfless and heroic work of our service members.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

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KXLG Radio had an extensive interview with Senate President Pro Tem/State Senator Lee Schoenbeck about the carbon capture pipelines proposed in the state. And Lee had some very pointed comments about the motives of politicians who are trying to use the issue to make hold rallies and make political hay. As noted in the interview:

And here’s the sad thing. It’s these demagogue politicians.. I saw another one on the news last night that know better.

Well, I take that back, there’s one of them who speaks out who’s just stupid. That person doesn’t know better. But the other ones know better.

They’re just trying to drum up support so they can have rallies; one of them wants to be the attorney general of South Dakota. But when they do that, they feed the fear of the legitimate..  people who have real concerns that want to know more.  When you feed the fear, all you do is make those people scared, and it ruins the ability to have the reasonable conversation you ought to have.

I’m really tired of these politicians that are just trying to make political hay out of an issue that is pretty simple.

Go listen to the story here (under LEE3.mp3).

The entire interview is worth listening to, and Lee has some pretty good points about the value of the project to the state and the fear mongering of some self-promoting politicians.  Well worth a listen.

Gov. Noem’s “Evil Foreign Governments” Bill Goes into Effect July 1

Signs Executive Order 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Noem’s “Evil Foreign Governments” bill, SB 189, will go into effect on July 1^st. The bill restricts state and local governments from contracting with six “Evil Foreign Governments.” The prime sponsors of this legislation were Sen. Jim Stalzer (R-11) and Rep. Tyler Tordsen (R-14).

“With this legislation, South Dakota will continue to be a beacon of Freedom to the rest of the nation,” said Governor Noem. “We are ensuring that our taxpayers’ dollars are not being used as revenue streams for Evil Foreign Governments. South Dakota will always put the security of our people first, and we will continue to preserve Freedom for generations to come.”

Governor Noem signed the bill in March at the 114^th Fighter Wing at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. You can find photos from the bill signing event here.

Governor Noem also signed Executive Order 2023-10, which rescinds the following two Executive Orders:

• Executive Order 2004-06 established the Research and Commercialization Council to provide oversight for the division of research commercialization; and,
• Executive Order 2023-02 was signed by Governor Noem in January to restrict state and local governments from contracting with the following “Evil Foreign Governments:” the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Cuba, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Governor Noem also signed Executive Order 2023-06 in May to ban Tencent from state government devices and instruct the commissioner of the Bureau of Information Technologies to create a blacklist of other similarly dangerous applications to state security.

With the enactment of the “Evil Foreign Governments” bill, along with the continuing protection of Executive Order 2023-06, Executive Orders 2004-08 and 2023-02 are no longer necessary.

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National Guard Tuition Reimbursement Goes into Effect July 1

PIERRE, S.D. – The bill to provide 100% tuition reimbursement for members of the South Dakota National Guard attending college in-state, HB 1039, will go into effect on July 1^st.

“The members of the South Dakota National Guard are some of the strongest and bravest men and women in the country. They have proven that time and time again,” said Governor Noem. “They’re the kind of folks we want to stay in South Dakota to earn an education, participate in our booming economy, and raise a family. This new law will help them do just that.”

Governor Noem signed the 100% tuition reimbursement bill at the Range Road Armory in Rapid City. Photos from the bill signing event can be found here.

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Attorney General Jackley Announces Judge Rejects Habeas Corpus Request on Infant Murder Conviction

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Circuit Court Judge has denied a habeas corpus request for Joseph Patterson, who was convicted in 2015 in the death of an infant.

Patterson claimed that he had received ineffective counsel. Circuit Court Judge John Pekas said Patterson did not meet the standard for such a claim.

“This defendant received a fair trial, was provided effective counsel, was convicted by a Lincoln County jury, and that verdict was upheld by the South Dakota Supreme Court,” said Attorney General Jackley.

Patterson was charged in the death of two-year-old Tyrese Ruffin. Patterson was convicted of Second Degree Murder, First Degree Manslaughter and Aggravated Battery of an Infant. He was sentenced to life in prison for the Second Degree Murder charge and 25 years in prison on the Aggravated Battery of an Infant charge.

The defendant in his habeas corpus motion also suggested that new scientific evidence about head trauma in children was not available at the time of the trial but should be considered now. The Judge concluded that there was no new scientific evidence that would have affected the suspect’s innocence.

This case was investigated by South Dakota Attorney General’s Office’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the Sioux Falls Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Lincoln County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“The Attorney General’s Office, local law enforcement, and local prosecutors continue to be vigilant in dealing with child homicide cases,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We encourage parents and those entrusted with the care of children to report suspicious activity that may be harmful to children and to remember that all children are precious and need to be protected.”

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South Dakota Public Broadcasting has a story today revisiting a topic many had not brought to mind for a while, former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. In the story, the South Dakota State Bar Association is in a new battle with Ravnsborg as they seek to strip him of his license to practice law for 2 years:

The Disciplinary Board of the South Dakota State Bar wants the Supreme Court to suspend former-Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s law license for two years.

The board issued the recommendation on May 19, 2023, which was obtained by SDPB.

Ravnsborg was impeached and removed from office last year for his role in the death of a South Dakota pedestrian.

In a blunt assessment of Ravnsborg’s position as a lawyer in the state, the disciplinary board said Ravnsborg violated professional conduct standards and eroded public confidence in the legal profession.

The board wants Ravnsborg’s law license suspended for 26 months. The suspension would start retroactively back to June 21, 2022, which was the day the state Senate removed him from office.

Read the entire story here.

This action comes as Ravnsborg is in the process of securing employment.