From Facebook:

Former Republican State Representative Tom Holmes
announces candidacy for District 14 House

Tom Holmes would like to announce his candidacy for one of the House seats from District 14. Tom taught for many years in the Sioux Falls public schools. During his time in the legislature he continued with his work on behalf of our children.

Tom was appointed by the governor as the legislative liaison for the Birth to Three program. In addition, he sponsored legislation in the areas of autism and human trafficking. In 2018 he received the Legislative Advocacy Award from the Disability Rights Association of South Dakota.

Currently Tom is a volunteer participant in the Kid Link project in Sioux Falls whose purpose is to help alleviate food insecurity among children.

Tom is seeking to return to the legislature in order that he may continue working on behalf of our children. Our children, after all, are our future, they should be our priority.

House Bill 1035 – what many are calling the anti-vaccination bill – was heard in committee this morning. And it was sent to the 41st day on a vote of 10-2.

Committee Chair Kevin Jensen indicated that maybe they could talk about the vaccination topic in a summer study.

Ummm… please don’t?

From the Democrat State Party, Randy Seiler is announcing that 1-term former Democrat State Representative Pam Merchant is the Democrat Party’s new Executive Director.

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SOUTH DAKOTA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sioux Falls, SD (February 25, 2020) – The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) has hired a new Executive Director, Pamela Cole. Cole is a former state legislator (District 7 Senator, 2008 – 2010) whose professional career has included grant writing, marketing, and volunteer coordination for a major healthcare provider.

“We have a team that has worked very hard in the last few months to put the party back on the right track to ensure a great 2020 election season. Part of that restructure involved finding the right executive director, someone with enthusiasm, commitment, and pride in the duties of the position. Pam has the experience and talents we were looking for.” – Randy Seiler, Chair, SDDP

When Seiler was elected to the chair position in December, he and his team had numerous challenges to overcome. In 2019, a recently elected chair, executive director and treasurer had already stepped aside realizing the time requirement it would take to rectify reports and refocus the party on its main goal, “working for quality education, healthcare and living wages for South Dakotans,” according to Seiler.

“This effort has been a testament to the pride and conviction of our members. A number of volunteers stepped forward to make sure we quickly resolved the situation, kept important upcoming events moving forward and continued to serve the members of the party. I really credit the group effort with making this possible,” Seiler said.

The Democratic Party will host a meet and greet with Pam at a later date to be announced.

“It’s important that our members get a chance to visit and learn about what 2020 holds for the party. I’m really excited about this opportunity and to be part of this team. This is a role I am honored to be in.” – Pamela Cole, Executive Director, SDDP

As the Democratic Party heads into the 2020 election season they will have two primaries in the U.S. Senate and House races. Former state legislator Dan Ahlers (Dell Rapids) and community activist Clara Hart (Sioux Falls) will run to try to unseat incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds. Two newcomers, Whitney Raver (Custer) and Brian Wirth (Dell Rapids) are running to take on recently elected Rep. Dusty Johnson.

“Many wondered if there would be less enthusiasm to run due to the developments of 2019 but actually, we haven’t seen any change in the desire to create real change for our state. South Dakota lags behind the nation in too many important areas such as teacher pay, cumbersome student debt, and low wages. We have members that are truly committed to taking those issues on.” – Nikki Gronli, Vice Chair, SDDP

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This will be interesting.  Let’s see if she lasts longer than the last one.

USDA Announces Thune-Authored Conservation Pilot Program to Begin in South Dakota, Other Prairie Pothole Region States

“This SHIPP rollout has been a long time in the making, and I’m grateful South Dakota’s farmers will soon see its benefits.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA’s) announcement that the Thune-authored Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) pilot will soon be available to producers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Montana. The sign-up for this pilot program starts March 30, 2020, and ends August 21, 2020.

SHIPP is a voluntary income protection program that would provide participating farmers with a short-term acreage conserving use program, which, unlike the Conservation Reserve Program, would require a commitment of only three to five years. Thune first introduced SHIPP in 2017, and it was included in the 2018 farm bill, which is now law.

“This SHIPP rollout has been a long time in the making, and I’m grateful South Dakota’s farmers will soon see its benefits,” said Thune. “This common-sense program gives farmers a short-term option to conserve acreage while protecting farm income. The three-to-five year commitment will give farmers the flexibility necessary to preserve soil health in today’s tough agriculture economy.”

“Each new Farm Bill provides opportunities to develop tools to meet needs of producers with programs, like SHIPP,”said Richard Fordyce, administrator of the FSA. “We are excited to provide this short-term Conservation Reserve Program pilot, first inspired by feedback from South Dakota producers, to support the unique soil health needs of farmers and ranchers in the Prairie Pothole states.”

“The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is grateful for the prospective benefits for the land and producers that SHIPP provides,” said Levi Neuharth, chairman of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. “Having a short term contracting option to build soil health on working lands enables farmers an ‘every acre counts’ approach. SHIPP may help to reach a positive bottom line for producers while building healthier soil. A special thank you to Senator Thune for his efforts seeing SHIPP become reality.”

“The South Dakota Soybean Association is very appreciative of the flexibility, soil and water benefits, and grazing opportunities that SHIPP has to offer,” said Jeff Thompson, president of the South Dakota Soybean Association.“A special thanks to Senator Thune for his leadership of this program.”

“South Dakota Corn is appreciative of Senator Thune’s leadership for providing farmers a common sense approach for working lands that provides another opportunity during this incredible wet cycle we are experiencing,” said Doug Noem, president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/crp or contact your local USDA Service Center office, which can be found here.

Thune recently penned an op-ed on the importance of SHIPP and how it was inspired by feedback he received from the South Dakota agriculture community.

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Delegation Urges VA Secretary to Meet with Veterans and Community Members During Upcoming Hot Springs VA Visit

“Failure to hold a discussion about the Hot Springs campus with [veterans] will forgo an opportunity to hear firsthand from veterans about long-held concerns with the VA’s Hot Springs plan.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today urged Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to visit with veterans who would be personally affected by the VA’s Black Hills planned realignment during his upcoming visit to the Hot Springs VA medical center. Currently, Wilkie’s draft itinerary does not include interaction with members of the community, veterans, and other stakeholders.

“In our discussions with you dating back to November of 2018, we have repeatedly stressed the importance of meeting with the veterans who would be personally affected by the VA’s realignment plan,” the delegation wrote. “We most recently raised this matter in our discussions prior to your October 2019 visit to our state. Failure to hold a discussion about the Hot Springs campus with them will forgo an opportunity to hear firsthand from veterans about long-held concerns with the VA’s Hot Springs plan. Moreover, it will confirm to veterans and the community that a reduction in services at the Hot Springs VA has been a pre-determined outcome throughout this process, regardless of stakeholder input. We are confident that the long-sought visit to the historic campus will be most productive if it includes meaningful engagement with the veteran community.”

Full text of the letter below

The Honorable Robert Wilkie
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC  20420

Dear Secretary Wilkie:

Thank you for fulfilling your commitment to return to South Dakota to visit the Hot Springs VA medical center.  Unfortunately, we were discouraged to learn that a draft itinerary of your upcoming visit fails to allot time for interaction with members of the community, our veterans, and other stakeholders.

In our discussions with you dating back to November of 2018, we have repeatedly stressed the importance of meeting with the veterans who would be personally affected by the VA’s realignment plan.  We most recently raised this matter in our discussions prior to your October 2019 visit to our state.  Failure to hold a discussion about the Hot Springs campus with them will forgo an opportunity to hear firsthand from veterans about long-held concerns with the VA’s Hot Springs plan.  Moreover, it will confirm to veterans and the community that a reduction in services at the Hot Springs VA has been a pre-determined outcome throughout this process, regardless of stakeholder input.  We are confident that the long-sought visit to the historic campus will be most productive if it includes meaningful engagement with the veteran community.

As the fourth VA Secretary to oversee this matter, we believe you have a real opportunity to revisit the VA’s record of decision and move forward in a collaborative way, but this will require direct dialogue.  While we understand you set the trip agenda, we would strongly advise you to include a roundtable discussion with local stakeholders during your visit.  We believe this should be a top priority.

Thank you for your consideration and attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem today signed the following pieces of legislation:

• HB1020 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the use of exemption certificates.
• HB1024 – An Act to make an appropriation for the payment of extraordinary litigation expenses and to declare an emergency.
• HB1027 – An Act to make an appropriation from the coordinated natural resources conservation fund to the State Conservation Commission and to declare an emergency.
• HB1029 – An Act to make an appropriation for costs related to suppression of wildfires in the state and to declare an emergency.
• HB1040 – An Act to increase the frequency of background investigations for certain state employees.
• HB1055 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the termination of a political committee under certain circumstances.
• HB1061 – An Act to exempt vehicles owned by improvement districts from certain vehicle registration fees.
• HB1066 – An Act to revise and repeal provisions regarding aviation.
• HB1075 – An Act to repeal certain outdated provisions regarding annexation near airports.
• HB1144 – An Act to remove the requirement for a ballot election in township elections if candidates are unopposed.
• SB8 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding insurance holding companies.
• SB14 – An Act to revise registration requirements for motor vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trailers, and semitrailers.
• SB15 – An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the retention of motor vehicle title documents by the Department of Revenue.
• SB62 – An Act to revise the membership and responsibilities of the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names.

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Alex Jensen Announces Long List of Endorsements

Sioux Falls City Council Candidate Alex Jensen Announces Endorsements from 130+ Community Leaders

Sioux Falls, SD – Today, Sioux Falls City Council candidate Alex Jensen announced endorsements from more than 130 business and community leaders. The list of supporters includes current and former elected officials, educators, medical professionals, non-profit leaders, small business owners and more.

Some of those endorsing Alex Jensen’s City Council campaign include:

James Abbott Jaclyn and Micah Aberson Jake Anderson Vince Anderson John Archer Katie Ashmore Catherine and David Barranco Lisa and Miles Beacom Tanner Beukelman Deb and Jack Billion Raquel Blount Paige and Matt Bock Dennis Breske Ryan Brown Vernon Brown Molly and Ryan Budmayr Dr. Seri and Shad Carney Dr. Tom and Ginny Christopherson Dan Costello Kent Cutler Emily and Chris Daugaard Linda and Dennis Daugaard Dan Doyle Drew Duncan Dana Dykhouse Joel Dykstra Troy and Natalie Eisenberg Jim Entenman Councilor Christine and Tony Erickson Scott Erickson Julio Espino Rick Everist Rob Fagnan Lucas Fiegen Laura and Ryan Gardner

Shelly and Mike Gardner James Gaspar Tyler Goff Dustin Haber Craig Hagen Alex Halbach Larry Hamre Chad Hatch Brent Hodgkiss Jordan Huisman Tom Hurlbert Mike Jamison Russ Janklow Anna and Brad Jankord Maren and Max Jensen Maria Harrington and Sam Jensen Paula and Bill Jensen Brendan Johnson Troy Jones Macy Kaiser Jon Kirby Steve Kirby Ryan Konz Kate and Nick Kotzea Molly and Josh Kuehl Reggie Kuipers Scott Lawrence Mark Lee Mark Lovre Alexis Konstant and Marcus Mahlen Alissa and Eric Matt Eric McDonald Amanda and Tom McKnelly Mark Mickelson Doug Muth

Martha and Tom Nelson Tony Nour Erik Nyberg Rob Oliver Karine and Matt Paulson Marianne and Steve Perkins Deb Peters Rachel Petersen Lucas Peterson Kia and Ryan Pidde Nikki Rassmussan David Ratchford Tony Reiss Dave Roetman Joel Rosenthal Amber Rouse Dave Rozenboom Steve Sarbacker Darrell Schmith Matt Schoppert Cindy Schoppert-Pickett Dr. Ryan and Cady Sivertson Alex Soundy Ryan Spellerberg Brad Stearns Bob and Lori Sutton Chris Thorkelson Bobbi and Luke Tibbetts Kevin Tupy Carol Twedt Ryan Tysdal Tony Venhuizen Sara Waldner Anna and Dane Yde Bishop Emeritus David Zellmer

“I’m thrilled by the broad support and enthusiasm around my campaign,” Alex Jensen said.  “The sheer number of people who have put their support behind my campaign, including this group of prominent business and community leaders, shows their belief in my readiness to serve on the city council.”

These endorsements underscore the strong momentum behind Jensen’s campaign. The Jensen campaign has received donations from more than 165 contributors since the first of the year and Alex has personally called or visited nearly 1,000 voters and attended dozens of community events. Jensen hopes to reach every voter in the city with his “positive and proven” message leading up to the April 14^th election.

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More About Alex:

As a life-long Sioux Falls resident, Alex Jensen believes in working together to create opportunity. He brings years of experience in business development and growth. He has a working knowledge of good government, having served in the South Dakota State Legislature with a track record of public accountability and balanced budgets.

As a city councilor, Alex will work to keep taxes low, while understanding the critical need to invest in the future. A husband and a father, he supports strong public safety to protect our city’s families. Alex’s top priority as city councilor is improving the quality of life for all Sioux Falls citizens.

Interested voters can learn more about Alex Jensen at www.jensenforsiouxfalls.com.

 

South Dakota-Inspired Conservation Program Set to Begin
By Sen. John Thune

Ask any farmer about his land, and he would be able to describe every inch of it without skipping a beat – the high spots, the low spots, the wet spots, and the dry spots. He could walk you to the corner of his plot that each year, despite even the best growing conditions, never seems to meet his expectations. He knows his land like the back of his hand and wants to do everything within his control to maximize its production capability.

While most producers would prefer that each acre of land was equally profitable, sometimes the most effective strategy is taking some or all of it out of production altogether. Farmers who choose this option have a variety of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs available to them to help offset the cost of lost production and ensure the land is being managed as efficiently as possible.

My Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP), which I first rolled out in early 2017 and was later included in the 2018 farm bill, is a new USDA conservation pilot program that is expected to open soon in Prairie Pothole Region states, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Montana. My staff and I have been actively engaged in this process since the farm bill became law, and I’m eager to see the rubber finally meet the road.

SHIPP, which was inspired by feedback I received from South Dakota producers in 2016 and 2017, is a short-term alternative to the widely popular Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). While most D.C.-based acronyms are often considered a foreign language in the real world, everyone in farm country knows about CRP and its benefits. SHIPP, which I’m confident will become an equally recognizable tool, offers many of the same benefits as CRP but with far shorter contract commitment options (three, four, or five years).

Under this new program, farmers can enroll up to 15 percent of a farm’s least productive acres, as long as they were planted or considered planted to a commodity crop for three consecutive years prior to enrollment. In return, the enrollee would receive an annual rental payment. Once enrolled, the acreage must be planted to a perennial conserving use cover that can be hayed or grazed outside the designated primary nesting and brood-rearing season in the county in which the land is located. Importantly, SHIPP is a low-cost program because it encourages the removal of poor land from taxpayer-subsidized crop insurance premium subsidies and indemnities.

Farming is far more complicated than simply digging a hole, planting a seed, and watching it grow, as most folks who are out of touch with farm country might inaccurately assume. Farmers know what it takes, and so do the communities across America’s heartland that help support their mission to feed the world. In today’s sluggish agriculture economy, we need to keep our eye on the ball and do everything we can to help farm country, and I believe SHIPP will create some much-needed certainty in these highly uncertain times.

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Maintaining the Integrity of Our Election Process
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Our system of government in the United States is founded on free and fair elections. With the 2020 election already underway, protecting the integrity of our election process remains a priority of mine. As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I’ve worked to make certain the Department of Defense (DOD) can fulfill its role for election security.

While I’ve been working with senior DOD officials, the responsibility to keep our elections secure crosses many agencies.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently unveiled to the public the steps they are taking to secure this year’s elections. The DHS plan focuses on four main points: protect election infrastructure, assist political campaigns with closing security gaps, increase public awareness about foreign intrusion and help to share information on vulnerabilities and potential threats between the public and private sectors.

While each of these four areas is important, I’d like to focus on one that has received a lot of attention since the 2016 election: foreign intrusion. As we know, Russia used misinformation – largely through social media channels – to attempt to influence the 2016 election. They also tried to get into at least 21 of our state election systems. Fortunately, they weren’t successful in changing the outcome. But these tactics aren’t news. Russia has long used propaganda to influence elections. Before social media, it was spread through newspaper articles, pamphlets and manifestos. Now, it’s on the apps we check on our phones throughout the day: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and more are all used by those who wish to spread “fake news” and sow discord in American politics.

Since then, we’ve taken steps to improve our cybersecurity protocols. Through our work on the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I can tell you that it was no accident that the 2018 midterm election was free from outside interference. Changes in our public policy allowing us to respond with offensive and defensive capabilities outside of a declared war zone were critical in our success.

More recently, the delayed result of the 2020 Democrat caucus in Iowa gained national attention and raised new concerns about our election system. It’s important to note that the caucuses were not the target of a cyberattack, but rather the new app they attempted to use to count delegates wasn’t able to function correctly. While what happened in Iowa demonstrates the importance of using proven, tested methods for determining election outcomes, we should not be worried that this type of mishap will happen on a larger scale. This is because each state is responsible for administering its own elections.

Recently, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have been trying to bypass regular Senate procedure to pass legislation they claim will make our elections more secure. The reality is that the bills they’re pushing would take control of elections away from the states and give more power to the federal government. Such a move could be disastrous—imagine if the federal government ran voting systems and they were hacked. All of the results would be put into question. If that were to happen to an individual state, the results would have to be recounted but it would be less disruptive than if it happened on a nationwide basis.

We’ve made good strides in making sure our election systems are protected in the wake of emerging technologies and tactics. I’ll continue to work on commonsense policies to strengthen our election integrity and punish bad actors who attempt to interfere. We must make it very clear to Russia and others that attempts to meddle in our elections will be met with swift and severe punishments.

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