Earlier this week, the State of South Dakota closed the financial books for fiscal year 2022 with a record-breaking $115.5 million surplus. This historic surplus was a combination of revenues unexpectedly being $72.3 million above what was adopted by the legislature this past session and the general fund budget for state government operations having expenses $43.2 million less than budgeted.

For starters, the growth in our revenues reaffirms the strength of our state’s economy. South Dakota’s personal income growth led the nation again in the first quarter of 2022, and we have been a leader in this metric since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. People continue to move to South Dakota as our net inbound migration was ranked second in the nation. South Dakota’s 2.3% unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation and lower than before the pandemic. For their part, state agencies displayed tremendous fiscal responsibility throughout the year and, at my direction, brought state expenses in under the appropriated budget.

While this surplus may lead individuals to call for a reduction in our state’s tax structure, I offer a word of caution. Our state is in a great financial position thanks to our structurally balanced budget and strong reserves, but we must be prepared to weather any economic storm that may come our way. It will be difficult for our state to maintain the unprecedented growth as our citizens struggle with the highest inflation in 40 years.

Over the past few years, the national economy has been artificially supported by the trillions of dollars that Congress provided to states, businesses, and individuals because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was a predictable one: historic inflation. Until President Biden reverses the policies that have caused inflation to skyrocket, the strain of inflation will continue to be an obstacle to South Dakota’s fantastic growth. There will come a time when our economy is no longer boosted by these stimulus dollars, and we must be prepared for the impact that will have on our state’s finances.

In addition to an unknown economic climate, there are key investments our state needs to continue to make in education, healthcare, public safety, and our state workforce. As many of your wallets have felt the impact of inflation, our state’s budget will also feel this increase.

As always, we will turn these challenges into opportunities for South Dakota to continue to thrive. We will spend taxpayer dollars wisely and responsibly and save where we can. South Dakota is financially stronger than ever. I am committed to ensuring our state continues to invest in our people, workforce, and infrastructure while continuing to have as low of a tax burden as possible.

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Gov. Noem Appoints Mark Roby to Housing Board

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem appointed Mark Roby to the South Dakota Housing Development Authority’s Board of Commissioners. This appointment is effective immediately.

“South Dakota has the strongest economy in America, but our state’s housing challenges continue to be one of the obstacles to sustaining that momentum,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Mark will bring a common-sense approach to the Housing Board to help solve these challenges in a way that works for every community across South Dakota.”

Before retiring in 2017, Roby served as the President and Regional Publisher of Dakota Media Group from 2016 to 2017 and as the Publisher of the Watertown Public Opinion from 2002 to 2016. He has served on the board of Prairie Lakes Health System since 2006, including as chairman from 2013 to 2016. He previously served on the South Dakota Judicial Qualifications Commission from 2013 to 2021, including as Vice Chair from 2015 to 2021; on the South Dakota Newspaper Association from 2005 to 2010, including as President from 2008 to 2009; on the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority from 2009 to 2013; as well as on numerous other boards and organizations.

Roby was born in Watertown and graduated from Watertown Community Schools before receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Drake University. He and his wife Ronda have three children and ten grandchildren.

Roby is replacing Steve Kolbeck on the board. Kolbeck resigned his seat after winning his election for the South Dakota State Legislature.

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What's @KristiNoem's favorite movie?

We'll give you a hint: it features a former GOP governor. pic.twitter.com/ukknineYOY

— The RGA (@GOPGovs) July 22, 2022

AOC pretends to be handcuffed. At least when I get arrested, I get arrested for real! pic.twitter.com/kuwjpp0g5v

— Rod Blagojevich (@realBlagojevich) July 21, 2022

Greetings!  Hope summer is going well for all of you.  Marcia and I have been at our lake cabin with grandkids.  There is something special about teaching grandkids to fish.  Jonathan, 7 yrs. old, caught his first northern, off the dock no less.  I had him run to the shoreline and reel in from there.  God only knows what could happen on the dock with our chocolate lab Mocha dancing around and then trying to lift the northern out of the water onto the dock!  The fish wasn’t big to us (3 lbs.), but to a 7-year-old, it was huge.  Great memories!

Let’s talk about ballot measures, specifically Medicaid Expansion, shall we?  This is on the ballot on Nov. 8^th as Constitutional Amendment D, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (2022).  So what does Amendment D do?

Constitutional Amendment D would amend the state constitution to require the state to provide Medicaid benefits to all adults between 18 and 65 with income below 133% of the federal poverty level beginning July 1^st, 2023.  Because the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) includes a 5% income disregard, this measure would effectively expand Medicaid to those incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level.

How much is that you ask?  It is $17,774 for an individual and $36,570 for a family of 4 in calendar year 2021.

To date 38 states have done this (expanded Medicaid).  South Dakota is one of the 12 states that have not.

Who do you think supports Amendment D?  Any guesses?  It is sponsored by a group called SD Decide Healthcare and is sponsored by SD State Medical Association, SD Nurses Association, SD Education Association, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, SD AARP and many, many others.  Looking at what organizations have donated money to Amendment D, thus far, are the following:

• Avera Health $250,000
• Farmers’ Union $250,000
• Sanford Health $250,000
• SDAHO Enterprises $250,000
• Monument Health, Inc. $100,000

and others with lesser amounts, so far. It will be interesting to see how much those donations increase as we get closer to the General Election on Nov. 8^th.  South Dakota Healthcare has $1,572,585 in contributions.  The cost of Amendment D for South Dakota is figured at around $80 million.  Federal government has indicated they could fund South Dakota initially.

So, why is this not a good idea?  Thought you’d never ask!  First off, the Federal government is approaching $30 trillion in debt with no end in sight.  We keep taking all this “free” federal money, but what happens when and if the federal government goes bankrupt?  It is almost unthinkable what would happen.  I say it is time to draw a line in the sand and say, “enough is enough.”

Another major reason not to do this is that we are covering the able-bodied workforce.  Actually, we would be making winners and losers; those who make more than $17,774 and those who make less.  It is the same for a family of four who make more than $36,570 and those who make less.  This concept penalizes the able-bodied workforce who have worked hard to get a career that pays above this standard and those who have a job with health benefits.  Is that what we want to do?

Another point that needs to be made is that in South Dakota there are more jobs than workers available.  Medicaid Expansion is only going to worsen our worker shortage.

Please vote NO on Constitutional Amendment D.

To the citizens of South Dakota and to the men and women in uniform, in honor of all who served, in respectful memory of all who fell, and in great appreciation to those who serve today, Thank You, for giving me the opportunity to represent you.

Tim R. Goodwin, District 30 Representative
Tim.goodwin@sdlegislature.gov

Rounds, Ernst and Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Designate June as “Month of Life”

WASHINGTON – In celebration of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and eight of their Senate colleagues introduced a bill to designate June as the “Month of Life.”

“Every life is a precious gift from God,” said Rounds. “The sanctity of human life is something we should all work to protect. This legislation celebrates the historic victory for life with the Supreme Court ruling, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.”

“Protecting life and the most vulnerable among us is the most important charge of any society, and the recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court upholds that responsibility,” said Ernst. “My effort to mark June as the ‘Month of Life’ celebrates this major victory for the pro-life movement, one that will pave a path for countless innocent lives to be saved.”

Rounds and Ernst were joined by Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).

Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives. March for Life and Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee support the effort.

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Joe Donnell who lost the State Senate primary race to Michael Rohl in June has been selected to replace Logan Manhart in the District 1 House race. Manhart, who withdrew from the District 1 State Representative race earlier this summer, left a vacancy which was filled by the County Republican Central Committees which comprised District 1.

While Donnell lost the June Senate primary on a vote of 71-29%, he won the vote among committee members on a reported vote of 17-12 against Larry Baumgarn.  Donnell’s win for assuming the race came after the support of a group of legislators all from outside his District, with the exception of Tamara St. John, including State Representative Sue Peterson, who is rumored to be running for a leadership position in the next iteration of the House Republican Caucus.

Interestingly, I’m told that Sue herself was up from Sioux Falls on location in Bristol last night actively going to tables encouraging the selection of Donnell over his opponent.

Which you’ll probably see more of between now and November as legislators quietly seek the favor of those who might be there after the dust settles for the caucus elections.

Stay tuned.

You have to wonder when the Citizens for Liberty will ever stop attacking Republicans. Because they’re back at it, once again:

Read it and weep Jamie Smith. Because Kristi Noem is the 7th most popular Governor in the Country today:

Who is America’s most popular governor? With 74% approval ratings, Wyoming Republican Mark Gordon and Vermont Republican Phil Scott top the list. https://t.co/ScFFj3iV86 pic.twitter.com/GHMUUtroQJ

— Morning Consult (@MorningConsult) July 19, 2022

Remember Ellee Spawn who was going to challenge Dusty Johnson for the Democrats in 2020? At least she was going to challenge Dusty until her campaign became as radioactive as a Chernobyl reactor upon the disclosure of 3 DUI’s and active warrants for her arrest during her candidacy.

If you recall, last year, she decided she didn’t like the Democrat party so much anymore, and had been identifying with a group called the “National Progressive Party,” and was calling the 2 major parties “just 2 corporations.”

That gig must not have worked out, because as pointed out to me by a reader she’s back with the Democrats, and is calling herself a “campaign manager” as the campaign tells the world that Ellee is managing Minnesota DFL candidate Jill Abahsain’s effort to run for Congress in Minnesota Congressional District 7.

Well, good luck with that.  I’m sure Ellee has a lot to teach her about what not to do in running for Congress.

7/22 update: Is that video gone already?  Looks like they didn’t like the publicity. But, you can click on the below image to watch the linked video yourself. 

7/31 update…. the video settings that disallowed embedding seem to be changed back. At least for now.