Representative Tim Reisch Legislative Report
for January 28, 2023

By the time you see this report we will have completed over 1/3^rd of the 2023 legislative session. The last day for unlimited bill introduction by legislators was January 26^th.  After that date, each legislator is allowed to file a maximum of three additional bills all of which must be introduced by February 2^nd.

As things currently stand, three of my bills will be up for committee consideration this week so I’m in the final stages of preparing the information needed to support their favorable recommendation and movement to the House floor. I’ve introduced my bill to modify penalties imposed by the SD Retirement System on retired K-12 teachers who wish to return to the classroom fulltime.  It is House Bill 1177. Speaker Hugh Bartels has informed me he will assign it to the Retirement Laws Committee for consideration on February 8^th. Hopefully the 5-member committee will move the bill to the floor where all 70 House members can have an open and honest debate on the merits of the bill. The K-12 teacher shortage is a serious problem, and frankly I’m aware of no other bill before this year’s legislative session that is attempting to resolve it.

I was happy to be asked by Senator Casey Crabtree to be the prime sponsor in the House of his bill to increase the appropriation for construction costs of the new athletic events center at Dakota State University. Senate Bill 93 would raise last year’s $28 million authorization to $40 million for the beautiful new sports complex at Dakota State. This bill does not tap new tax revenue for the project, but rather authorizes DSU to spend funds currently under their control together with future donations to complete the very worthwhile project.

As I mentioned in last week’s column, an estimated $300 million in excess ongoing annual revenue has been identified by the governor’s budget office. During her budget address in December, Governor Noem revealed her plan on how she would like to take advantage of it.  Her proposal to eliminate the tax on food cleared its first hurdle on a 12-1 vote in the House Taxation Committee. Although I absolutely support a healthy tax cut, I’m not yet convinced that the permanent and total elimination of the 4 ½% state sales tax on groceries is the best course of action. I firmly believe that the current revenue situation has been driven in large part by inflation. A wise former legislator once told me “It’s not about this year; its about the next five years.” I prefer to take the long view on issues like this.

Thanks again for electing me to be your representative in Pierre. I consider it a great honor, and I pledge to work hard every day to represent your interests in the best manner possible. If you want to get in touch with me during the session, my legislative email address is Tim.Reisch@sdlegislature.gov.

 

Weekly Update
from Representative Tamara St. John
Jan 28, 2023

Greetings!

It has been a very busy third week in Pierre! Things kicked off Monday on the House floor, when we debated SB41, which provides $200 Million In grants and loans for workforce infrastructure. This funding is not in addition to the bill that was passed last year- we must appropriate the funds again due to them not being able to be spent during the previous fiscal year. I’ve been a proud supporter of workforce infrastructure for two years now, and these funds will serve our communities in a monumental way as our economy continues to grow in South Dakota. Additionally, we passed HCR 6002. Which encourages the Executive Board of the legislature to continue researching childhood mental health programs. I believe supporting our children in this way is a needed service for our state, and I was happy to support it.

In House Judiciary this week, I was proud to support HB1041, which provides an exception to the definition of drug paraphernalia to allow for the use of Fentanyl testing strips. This bill is not a “green light” for drug use. Addiction and drug use is a serious problem in South Dakota, and this bill will do great work in helping to prevent overdoses in our communities. Committee work continued into House Ag and Natural Resources, where we heard a presentation from the South Dakota Ag Land Trust. In this briefing, they outlined the services and advocacy efforts that they deliver on behalf of landowners in South Dakota. It was great to hear about their work!

One important date that is coming up in the legislature is the bill deadline- after next week, members are no longer able to introduce legislation into the process, which helps make sure we can conduct our business within the time we have. Here are a couple of the bills that I have signed onto:

• HB1124: I am proud to sign onto an act that is prime sponsored by my son, Representative Tordsen. This bill requires labeling on Native American Arts and Crafts that are not produced by a tribal member. I agree that we must preserve authentic Native American heritage, and proudly support my son in this legislation.

• SB136: This is act that I will be co-sponsoring, which provides for a rebuttal presumption favoring the joint custody of children when the separation of parents takes place. This presumption can be overturned with evidence but assumes that it is best for children to see both parents as they grow up. I believe that family is an important value of any child’s life and am happy to see this legislation brought forward.

• SB69: This past week we had a great State Tribal Relations Committee meeting with the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Senator Rohl and I have been working together to bring us closer to where we hope to be as a State Tribal Relations Committee/STRC in the future. We have heard many discussions in the past about making the STRC a Standing Committee that meets regularly during legislative session. To make that happen we need to bring the STRC in line with the standards of a standing committee and SB69 is the first step in doing that. I will be carrying SB69 in the House to make that change.

I will be doing a larger column in the future on the State Tribal Relations Committee is progressing to engage tribal nations and bring tribal leaders and issues into direct conversations with legislators who can possibly help them to make needed changes or impact who we work together in the future. This past week we have a great meeting with the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Senator Rohl and I have been working together find how best to make these connections and meetings happen. I have been working with tribal people and programs who have ongoing relationships with the State of South Dakota such as in the previous agenda with the Attorney Generals Office and the MMIW/MMIP issue, housing and Native Homeownership Coalition, Native American Tourism and others. Senator Rohl has been leading the efforts to schedule one on one meetings with our South Dakota Tribal Nations. It’s my personal belief that continuing both efforts will bring us closer to where we hope to be as a State Tribal Relations Committee in the future. I think we all agree that we need good communication and change in this area. We have heard many discussions in the past about making the State Tribal Relations Committee a “Standing Committee” like every other committee that meets regularly during legislative session. In order to make that happen we need to bring it in line with the standards of a standing committee and SB69 is the first step in doing that and I will be carrying SB69 in the House to make that change.

There is much, much more to come in the weeks ahead! If you would like to contact me about anything in the legislature, you can reach me at tamara.stjohn@sdlegislature.gov. I hope that you have a blessed weekend!

Weekly Update from Representative Tyler Tordsen – Jan 28, 2023

Another week down!

We just wrapped up week 3 of the 98th legislative session. From committees to the House floor, there was debate heard over several issues facing our South Dakota communities. At the end of the day, however, I believe that the work we did this week is something that we can all be proud of, and I look forward to continuing that momentum as we enter the coming weeks.

Monday started off with SB41 being heard on the House floor, which provides $200 million ($50M of which is federal COVID funds) for housing infrastructure loans and grants. This bill was long overdue. It’s the product of many years of study, discussion, and compromise. Last year, the legislature appropriated $150 million for this same project, but none of it was able to be spent due to logistical problems. Passing it this year ensures that we are going to be able to move this program forward and not miss another construction season. During my travels across South Dakota’s largest and smallest communities, housing opportunities for new and existing residents is problem number one. SB41 is going to be a game changer for South Dakota and I was proud to cosponsor and support it!

I also want to dig into a couple of pieces of legislation that I will be bringing and discussing in the upcoming weeks. Here are a couple of them:

• HB1101: I’m prime sponsoring this bill, which is an act to ensure the proper labeling of American Indian Arts and Crafts. This bill will strengthen the original 1960’s statute, protecting Native American artisans, and will also provide clarity to retailers. As a tribal member, I’m excited to have this as my first bill. I testified on it before House Commerce and Energy on Wednesday, with it passing out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation unanimously.
• HB1124: One of the things that I ran on last year was to ensure that we preserve South Dakota as a leader in free and fair elections. I think South Dakota has some of the best-run elections in the nation, but that’s not by accident. We’re constantly looking at ways to safeguard and strengthen our processes to continue to lead the way. My legislation ensures no software or firmware upgrades can take place after pre-election certification, to codify existing rules, and provides guidance and increases public access to tests on tabulation machines during an election.
• HB1079: I am proud to co-sponsor this bill, which makes an appropriation to the Department of Health to provide grants for mental health and suicide prevention resources. This is a critically important need for South Dakota students and young adults. Those who battle mental illnesses need a strong support system, and this bill is a great step in that direction.

There are many more items to come as we continue our work in Pierre, so please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, or even if you are planning to come visit the legislature and would like to say hi. You can reach me at tyler.tordsen@sdlegislature.gov or by phone at 605-610-8884 anytime. Stay warm this weekend!

 

Weekly Update from
House Majority Whip Rep Drury
Jan 27, 2023

The accomplishments of the house this past week are the kind of days that make me proud to be serving in the House. This week saw the passage of great policies that will benefit our state, and it was an honor to be part of these accomplishments.

Supporting Housing Infrastructure

On the house floor, we passed monumental legislation this week funding $200 Million for housing infrastructure. To best develop our workforce in South Dakota is to ensure that when workers come here they know that housing is going to be available to them. This legislation is a step in the right direction. One thing to note is that this is not a new conversation. We allocated money last year, but due to complications the money was not able to be spent. The legislation we passed this year has an emergency clause and will go into effect as soon as Governor Noem signs the bill. This bill is good for our communities, and I was proud to vote for it.

Serving those who serve us

We passed two major bills to benefit those who serve our state in the National Guard, and their families. HB1039 will allow the state to pay for 100% of in-state tuition costs for a member of the National Guard at either a state school or Technical College. I was proud to vote for this legislation, it’s the least we can do for those who put themselves on the front lines to serve our communities when crisis strikes. Furthermore, we passed HB 1046, which provides free tuition for a spouse or child of a member of the National Guard that’s disabled or deceased in the line of duty. Losing a family member in the line of service is heartbreaking, so it was an honor to be able to help this legislation pass.

At the end of every legislative week, we often ask ourselves: how did the actions that we took make South Dakota a better place? The work of the legislature will always involve tough debates and questions, but I strive every day to support policies that will improve our state one step at a time. With legislation like this, we are surely on the right track for 2023.

If you have any questions about current events during session or pieces of legislation, I am always open to hearing any questions or concerns you may have. Stay in touch by filling out the contact form at www.druryfor32.com. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Two years into the Biden administration, it’s clear we need a course correction. We can’t afford a repeat of the last two years of Democrats’ one-party rule, which was characterized by reckless spending, high inflation, open borders, and rising crime. Fortunately, with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, the Democrats’ one-party control in Washington has ended, and both parties will have to work together to get anything across the finish line.

While divided government may sound like a recipe for gridlock, it’s often proved to be the opposite. In recent history, periods of divided government have delivered the 1986 Reagan tax reform, 1996 welfare reform, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, and a major reform of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2014. And there are a number of areas right now where I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to find solutions.

A great place to start is the farm bill, which has a strong bipartisan history. As a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’ve worked with both Democrat and Republican colleagues to shape policy that helps meet the needs of South Dakota farmers and ranchers and strengthens our nation’s agriculture production. We also need to get to work on advancing trade agreements to expand markets for American products and services around the world, something the Biden administration has been slow to do.

There has also been a renewed and bipartisan interest in promoting transparency and accountability in Big Tech, including from President Biden. In recent years, I’ve worked on bipartisan legislation to reform existing laws that govern certain internet use, increase transparency, and improve due process for users concerning Big Tech platforms’ content moderation practices. I will continue to find ways to advance these bills as Congress works to build consensus on these important issues.

Democrats and Republicans should also be able to agree that there must be accountability when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars. Recently, I launched an oversight initiative to ensure federal broadband funding is being used for its intended purpose of extending internet access to areas that currently lack it. There is also a critical need to conduct oversight of the IRS, especially given the agency’s shaky record of handling taxpayer data and its recent record of subpar taxpayer services.

With our national debt soaring, Congress must also practice fiscal restraint. And one important way to promote fiscal responsibility is to restore an open process for funding the government that allows all the people’s representatives to have input on spending bills and other legislation. The federal government must live within its means, just like every American household, business, or farm. And it shouldn’t be placing the burden for reckless spending on hardworking middle-income families and small businesses by raising taxes. I hope Democrats will give fair consideration to extending the tax relief Republicans passed five years ago that benefits South Dakota families and businesses.

There’s a great deal we can accomplish that would make real progress on issues facing the American people. To do this, we need a genuine attitude of compromise rather than the “my way or the highway” approach Democrats have taken these past few years with disastrous results. I’m eager to get to work, and I hope we can deliver a bipartisan record of accomplishment over the next two years.

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I‘m heading to the 65th Annual Black Hills Stock Show this weekend. It’s one of my favorite events of the year – a midwestern city becomes a “slice of the Old West” – when cowboys and ranchers come from across the country. As I shake hands and greet folks, year after year, I’m reminded of the uphill battles our ranchers face every day. The next generation of ranchers needs positive change, and that’s what I’m working on in Congress.

The beginning of 2020 and beyond brought a great deal of havoc to the cattle industry. Black swan event after black swan event made it harder for ranchers, packers, and grocers to keep up with demand. With short supply of meat in grocery stores, prices skyrocketed, causing stress on the American consumer. Even though there was short supply in the stores, packers were at capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions in the workplace. Ranchers suddenly had nowhere to sell their cattle – and if they could find a processor with space, the price the ranchers were getting was dismal.

Cattle country needs solutions – it needs options – more healthy competition and more slaughter capacity.

This week, I dropped two cattle-focused bills – the Butcher Block Act and A-PLUS Act – to do both of those things. Though the Butcher Block Act has been implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it isn’t law yet – eventually the funding for USDA’s pilot program will run out without a long-term solution propping it up. I want to ensure the livestock industry will always have tools available to expand capacity and respond to market demand.

The Butcher Block Act helps new and expanded livestock or small meat processors by establishing a loan or grant program through USDA for construction and expansion. The cattle processing space is too concentrated – my bills give producers options of where to sell – making them less dependent on the big four. The A-PLUS Act revises the Packers and Stockyards Act to clarify that livestock auction owners may invest in small meat packers – putting small packers on equal footing with the big packers. Both bills will give ranchers more options and processors more shackle space to help meet the need of increasing the capacity by 5,000-6,000 head of cattle per day.

We know life is unpredictable. What we need is greater stability – not just for the ranchers, but for small packers, grocers, and consumers. That’s what these bills will produce – stability. I’m looking forward to leading these bills in Congress and securing more wins for cattle country.

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This is an interesting development. A Political Action Committee involved in the Julie Frye-Mueller/Tim Goodwin legislative primary in 2022 campaigning against Tim Goodwin has taken to the internet to start a campaign against this last weeks’ suspension of Julie Frye Mueller in the South Dakota State Senate.

The “Not One Step” political action committee was started in 2021, as fronted by Anthony Mirzayants, who is noted as being the contact for the South Dakota School of Mines Young Americans for Liberty organization.

According to documents filed with the Secretary of State, this group started back in 2021, initially contributing $695 towards the Taffy Howard for Congress campaign during that initial year, with nearly half of the PAC’s funds – $2000 of $4500 coming from Taffy Howard supporter Luke Blindert.

Sdcfdisclosure Not One by Pat Powers on Scribd

However, those funds were more than doubled in the following pre-primary report with Mirzayants adding another $4000 to the PAC, and Blindert contributing an additional $5000 to PAC funds.

Not One Step PAC by Pat Powers on Scribd

Where did the cash from Mirzayants, Blindert, and the minor donors to the effort go?  $3500 went into direct cash donations to the Bruce Whalen for US Senate campaign and the Cole Heisey State Legislative campaign.

They also filed a later report – and here’s where it gets even more interesting. In the organizations pre-general report (also in the pdf above), the group filed as having made Independent Communications Expenditures in the Julie Frye Mueller/Tim Goodwin primary, spending thousands to go after Goodwin via postcards on COVID, Gun Rights and Spending:

Why is this important to know? Because after defending Julie Frye Mueller’s campaign against Tim Goodwin, the political action committee is back assisting the campaign of Julie Frye Mueller. This time the “Not One Step” Political Action Committee is actively trying to gin up support against the State Senate itself for suspending Mueller while the Senate investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct with an employee:

It’s highly unusual and irregular for an allegedly independent political action committee to involve itself in a disciplinary investigation against an elected official. South Dakota didn’t even see this type of interference attempted during the Ravnsborg impeachment investigation last year.

Which begs the question as to who is holding the leash on this group and Anthony Mirzayants?

And where are the marching orders to attack the members of the State Senate for their vote to suspend Senator Julie Frye Mueller coming from?

I had the pleasure to join the Dakota Town Hall crew on their podcast this week where we discussed (and wildly speculated) what might be happening with the Julie Frye Mueller matter in the South Dakota State Senate, in an episode titled “JFM loses Miss Congeniality”

I joined the hosts Noah Greble, Jake Shoenbeck, and Brad “Murdoc” Jurgensen to talk about what’s going on in the State Senate this week.

If you’re a podcast listener, give it a little bit of your time here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CLHxY6JLTn4YIIFa17Qr3?si=k4AyVzARSqWWvGM1Xt_y1g&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A2pJMcjTgHRrkSivcNFw28S

Sounds like Julie Frye Mueller is going to dig her hole a little deeper today. From my mailbox:

IMMEDIATE ADVISORY: Sen. Frye-Mueller to issue staement

Senator Julie Frye-Mueller
(605) 391-1663
mueller4house@gmail.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SENATOR FRYE-MUELLER TO ISSUE STATEMENT ON SENATE ACTIONS

Rapid City, SD (January 27, 2023) – Senator Julie Frye-Mueller will be making a public statement in response to the recent actions by the Senate.

WHAT:          Statement by Senator Julie Frye-Mueller in response to recent Senate actions

WHO:            Senator Julie Frye-Mueller

WHEN:          January 28, 2023, 2 pm

WHERE:       Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1273,

420 Main St,

Rapid City, SD 57701

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MEDIA CONTACT

Senator Julie Frye-Mueller
(605) 391-1663
mueller4house@gmail.com

Getting word this morning that Minnehaha county Republicans are holding elections. And in a close race, R. Shawn Tornow defeated Rhonda Milstead on a vote of 48 to 42.

Haugaard ally and convention nominator Jennifer Foss was unchallenged for the vice-chair position.

I will update as more comes in..

*Update*

Tanna Brummet won Secretary, beating Cole Heisey. Which tells you how far right this new crew is, when they reject somebody who was on the stage with the proud boys.

Cindy Meyer running unopposed for Treasurer..

Julie Frye Mueller’s seat mate, Tom Pischke, was nominated by Steve Haugaard for State Committeeman and beat current Committeeman Jim Stalzer on a vote of 65-22.

and bringing up the rear.. for Committeewoman, Vicky Buhr lost with 30 votes versus Melinda Roth at 46.

As one of the members sent a note to me, “Minnehaha County GOP is an absolute dumpster fire. At least you’ll have amusing (tragicomic) material to post for the next 2 years.”