Amendment C continues to be in the spotlight today, as we have the “Con” Statement for the Constitutional Amendment C for your review and discussion, as opponents take their opportunity to throw darts at the measure which would place a higher vote threshold on ballot measures which would raise your taxes:

 

The ballot measure proposes to place the same vote requirements on tax-raising ballot measures that the state legislature has placed on itself.

It’s a bit melodramatic to claim that it gives out-of-state lobbyists and special interests more power.. when the out-of-state groups are the ones who have been inflicting a lot of these ballot measures on South Dakota.

If anything, It’s probably long overdue.

In case you hadn’t received one, the Amendment C team is busy postcarding South Dakota with information on the upcoming June Ballot Measure to protect the state from initiated measures that will raise our taxes considerably:

South Dakotans Decide Healthcare Welcomes Support from South Dakota Synod, ELCA 

South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, a broad coalition of patient advocates, nurses, healthcare providers, farmers, faith leaders, educators, and more, announced today that they received the endorsement of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a community of 200 churches across South Dakota with more than 96,000 baptized members.

“Our synod is ready to support Medicaid expansion in South Dakota,” stated Bishop Hagmaier.  “By action of the 2021 South Dakota Synod Assembly, a majority of lay and clergy voting members adopted a resolution to support expanding healthcare coverage for vulnerable communities. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to follow his teachings to care for the poor, heal the sick, and stand with marginalized communities. We hope others will follow and support this effort.”

Zach Marcus, Campaign Manager for South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, said of the endorsement from the Synod, “We are grateful for the support of the South Dakota Synod for our efforts. Together we will remind South Dakotans that there are numerous reasons: fiscal, spiritual, individual, to support Medicaid expansion. We will bring hundreds of millions of our dollars back home, and make more than 40,000 of our friends and neighbors newly eligible for affordable health care. ”

South Dakotans Decide Healthcare has been endorsed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, AARP South Dakota, South Dakota State Medical Association, South Dakota Nurses Association, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, South Dakota Education Association, South Dakota Farmers Union, Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas, Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, Avera Health, Monument Health, Sanford Health, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, South Dakota Faith in Public Life, and more. It is one of the broadest coalitions to ever launch a ballot measure campaign in the state’s history.

####

Senator John Thune just got a nice pre-primary confidence builder. Because Morning Consult has identified him as the most popular US Senator in the country. And Senator Mike Rounds is close behind at #4:

Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) is America’s most popular senator; Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is the most unpopular.

WOW. At the top of approval charts, and with the least unapproving. That’s not bad.   And according to the charts, Senator Mike Rounds is closely behind, by 1%.

Go read the entire story here at Morning Consult!

From Facebook:

Flight into Chicago lands, and on way to departure gate, flight out of Chicago canceled.

This is why I am loathe to fly through Chicago.

Derby Announces House Re-election Bid

LONG-TIME BUSINESSMAN, CIVIC LEADER AND LEGISLATOR SEEKS TO CONTINUE REPRESENTING DISTRICT 34

RAPID CITY, SD — April 21, 2022 — Representative Mike Derby announces his candidacy for another term as State Representative. Derby has served 8 years as District 34 Legislator.

“I am asking the voters to send me back to Pierre to advance the issues important to us,” Derby said. “In my last term, we made great strides building on our platform of economic growth and dynamic opportunity for our West River region. It would be an honor and privilege to represent District 34 in the critical years ahead.”

Derby’s reliable presence in Pierre taps into his extensive experience as a Rapid City business owner, community leader and public servant. With the momentum established in his last term, he is ready to work again as a tireless advocate of District 34 and the State of South Dakota.

“This last Legislative Term saw lots of challenges,” Derby reflected. “We dealt with the pandemic’s economic effects, business uncertainty, unprecedented one-time Federal funding, and other big issues. Times like these reinforced the importance of working together with all levels of government – from municipalities, counties, all the way to the Federal Government. I have the experience, commitment and drive to propel us forward.”

Rep. Derby serves on the Taxation and Transportation Committees and was elected by his peers to once again serve on the South Dakota Legislative Executive Committee. In between sessions in 2021, Derby served on the State Legislative Redistricting Committee and the Marijuana Interim Study Committee. This year, Derby will participate on the Property Tax Summer Study Committee.

In the 2022 Session, Rep. Derby successfully sponsored five bills (HB 1173, HB 1174, HB 1176, HB 1177, and HB 1197) that were signed by the Governor. They help diverse sectors of business such as campgrounds and hospitality, construction and development, accountancy, and insurance and auto recycling.

As owner of the Canyon Lake Resort in west Rapid City and Past Chair of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, Mike is very supportive of legislation that helps the small business owner to be successful and grow. Serving as a Board Member of Visit Rapid City, Mike wants to keep Pierre aware of tourism’s prominence and economic contributions. And as a past Chair of the Ellsworth Task Force and Military Affairs Committee, Mike intends to continue championing issues that allow Ellsworth AFB to sustain and grow its vital missions.

“Mike is an enthusiastic activist getting things done for Rapid City and the State of South Dakota,” said area businessman and retired banker Randy Hamburg, who will serve as Derby’s Campaign Treasurer. “As our Legislator, he has shown his mettle and skill at handling issues and keeping us moving in the right direction. He is a proven leader who represents us well.”

Demonstrating his effectiveness, Derby was named a Pro-Business Champion by Elevate Rapid City. He was recognized as a Legislative Supporter by the City of Box Elder for supporting Ellsworth Air Force Base and its surrounding infrastruc- ture. Derby has not missed a single House floor vote in the past two years according to The Club for Growth Foundation.

Derby is hosting a campaign kickoff reception on April 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Resort, Reunion Lodge, 2720 Chapel Lane, Rapid City.

For more information, contact Mike Derby at 605-381-0992 (voice/text) or michaelpderby@gmail.com.

Learn more at https://www.mikederbyforsdhouse.com.

The Argus has a story this AM where State Rep’s Spencer Gosch and Tom Pischke are howling over being called on the carpet for their vote in the House of Representatives as they tried to create a new County Sales Tax during the last Legislative Session:

And while the ads hone in on one vote cast by Pischke and Gosch during the most recent legislative session — support for a bill that would have given counties the power to implement a half-penny sales tax with voter approval — they signify a larger struggle over the Republican Party of the future.

“I think it’s critically important that traditional conservative Republicans are the voice of our party and not these unusual fringe people,” Schoenbeck told the Argus Leader Friday morning, though he declined to say how much his PAC spent on this round of attack ads and how many incumbent lawmakers are being targeted. “This is an election that’s gonna have a lot to say about it.”

Read the entire story here.

Taffy Howard was on Aberdeen Hub City radio this week making excuses why she skipped the Special Session impeachment votes in the matter of attorney general Jason Ravnsborg, making a claim that she feared she could have Covid, and claimed she didn’t want to potentially infect anybody.

You can listen to Taffy making excuses here.

Couple of problems with Taffy’s bulls… er, excuses.

First and foremost, I’m pretty sure the South Dakota Legislature has a specific carve out which would’ve allowed Taffy to participate in an online manner if she was affected by COVID-19.

Secondly, what is her excuse for missing 14% of all votes taken on the house floor during the 2022 legislative session?

Unless she is somehow trying to claim that this is the worlds longest Covid diagnosis, and bouts of the sniffles would suddenly come on during important legislator floor votes?

Inquiring minds would like to know.. is Taffy one of those Covid long-term sufferers, or is she just full of beans as I suspect?

---

Um, Cole (District 12 House candidate) you are aware that’s a movie line?

From Galaxy Quest?

…

I guess not.

Well, at least he wasn’t asking about calling Ghostbusters.