From my mailbox, the South Dakota Republican Party’s exec board today passed a resolution in support of President Trump, slamming Democrats who are trying to steal the 2020 election because they can’t win it with their current field of candidates:

SDGOP Exec Board passes resolution in support of President Trump

PIERRE, SD – South Dakota Republican Party (SDGOP) Chairman Dan Lederman issued the following statement after the SDGOP’s Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution in support of President Trump and the Graham-McConnell resolution:

“Today, members of the SDGOP Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution of support for our president and the Graham-McConnell resolution condemning the unprecedented actions of House Democrats,” said Chairman Dan Lederman.  “Democrats are trying to win the 2020 election by attacking President Trump, because they know their current slate of candidates can’t beat him at the ballot box. It’s time for Democrats to give President Trump the due process he’s entitled to under the Constitution, and provide a hearing in full view of the American people.”

A copy of the resolution is posted below:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE GRAHAM-MCCONNELL RESOLUTION DEMANDING HOUSE DEMOCRATS PROVIDE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS IN THEIR IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION

WHEREAS, Democrats in the House of Representatives have launched a nakedly partisan impeachment investigation of President Donald J. Trump in secret and without affording a sitting President any due process protections;

WHEREAS, in an unprecedented maneuver, House Democrats have launched recklessly into this unfair, unprecedented, and undemocratic process without holding any vote;

WHEREAS, House Democrats have shut out Republican members of the House from being able to participate meaningfully in the proceedings such as by granting equal subpoena power to minority members of the Judiciary Committee;

WHEREAS, House Democrats’ partisan motives are evidenced by their selective leaking of information from the closed impeachment proceedings;

WHEREAS, House Democrats, who from the time of the President’s election have stated their desire to impeach, are trying to void 63,000,000 votes and do through this impeachment fiasco what they cannot achieve at the ballot box; and

WHEREAS, in under three years in office President Trump has amassed an unprecedented number of accomplishments strengthening the United States both at home and abroad; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the South Dakota Republican Party’s Executive Committee (SDGOP) now more than ever wholeheartedly supports President Trump and his administration in making America great again;

RESOLVED, that the SDGOP condemns House Democrats’ impeachment circus;

RESOLVED, that the SDGOP wholeheartedly supports both the President in his impeachment defense and congressional Republicans’ efforts to ensure fairness and due process in the face of the Democrats’ ruthless impeachment investigation, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham’s resolution;

RESOLVED, that the SDGOP calls on the House of Representatives to provide President Trump, like every other American, with due process, to include the ability to confront his accusers, call witnesses on his behalf, and have a basic understanding of the accusations against him that would form any basis for impeachment; and finally be it

RESOLVED, that the SDGOP calls on the House of Representatives to provide members of the minority with the ability to participate fully in all proceedings and have equal authority to issue subpoenas and other compulsory process.

State Senator Solano Announces Resignation, Noem Seeks Public Input on Replacement

PIERRE, S.D. – Senator Alan Solano today announced that he will resign his seat in the State Senate effective November 30. Solano has represented District 32 in the State Senate since 2014.

“Serving in the South Dakota Senate has been extremely rewarding, and I’ll forever be indebted to the people of District 32 for putting their trust and confidence in me,” said Solano. “In the last months, I’ve recognized the difficulty of balancing my legislative responsibilities with my new professional responsibilities. Right now, I need to take a step back and focus on the foundation and my family.”

Solano currently serves as chair of the Education Committee, chair of the Interim Rules Review Committee, chair of the summer study to Reduce the Overall Use of Acute Mental Health Hospitalizations, and chair of the summer study on Electric Services in an Annexed Area. He is a member of the Health and Human Services Committee and the Transportation Committee.

Upon Solano’s resignation announcement, Governor Kristi Noem requested public input on filling the District 32 vacancy.

“I commend Senator Solano for his dedication to the legislature and wish him all the best,” said Noem. “In the coming weeks, I’ll be looking for someone to represent District 32 who will work hard to make South Dakota stronger for the next generation. I look forward to collaborating with the folks in District 32 to find a qualified, dedicated public servant to serve in this capacity.”

Those wishing to be considered for the Senate vacancy, or to offer nominations, should email Rachel Graves at [email protected]. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current physical address, telephone number, and relevant background information. All nomination materials must be submitted by November 8.

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The second Democrat in the US House race  (and more interesting than the first, Brian what’s his name), Whitney Raver is making her entrance into the Congressional race official today, according to KELO news:

Entrepreneur and small business advocate Whitney Raver is rallying family, friends, and community leaders to join her at 5:30 P.M. on October 28, 2019 at Murphy’s Pub and Grill in downtown Rapid City, where she intends to formally announce her campaign for Congress.

Raver, 32, hinted at her intention to run for South Dakota’s lone seat in the House of Representatives when she filed the paperwork to create a campaign committee back in August.“I wanted to take some time to listen to my neighbors across the state, to hear their response to my campaign before making things official.

Read the entire story here.

If I were Whitney, I wouldn’t count on anything resembling logistical support from the State Democrat Party. (They’re having some issues.)

Noem Requests Federal Help for Southeastern South Dakota Following September Tornadoes, Floods

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has requested a presidential disaster declaration for damage done by September storms in South Dakota, including the three tornadoes that struck portions of Sioux Falls and extreme flooding that occurred in the cities of Madison and Mitchell.

The request is for the period of Sept. 9-Sept. 26 and includes at least $17 million in requested federal assistance.

In her letter to President Donald Trump, Noem wrote that the storms, tornadoes, and floods damaged homes and businesses, along with public infrastructure such as parks, roads, highways, bridges, and electrical systems. The governor wrote that many residents had to be evacuated from rushing flood waters or buildings damaged by tornadoes.

Noem also told the President that this is the fifth major disaster declaration request since May 20, 2019. She said the recovery from the other disasters continues and that local resources are limited.

“All conditions from the previous major disaster declaration requests regarding public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and culverts, agriculture, and tourism continue to plague our citizens and communities today and have been further exacerbated by the additional precipitation we continue to receive statewide,” wrote Noem.

Total individual assistance damage is estimated at more than $8 million. Individual assistance is requested for the counties of Aurora, Brookings, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, and Yankton. FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides grants to individuals and families for expenses related to home repairs and rental assistance.

Total public assistance damages are estimated at more than $8.8 million. Counties included in the request for public assistance are Aurora, Brookings, Brule, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union, Yankton counties and the Yankton Indian Reservation within Charles Mix County. FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses eligible state and local governments, and some non-profit entities, for damage to publicly-owned infrastructure.

Noem said a major concern is the condition of local roads, many of which have not yet been repaired or are still closed.

“Our transportation lifeline has been decimated this year,” wrote Noem. “Roads previously repaired have once again been destroyed by flooding.  Due to the wet conditions and ongoing damages from flooding, many rural gravel roads are still not suitable for travel and remain closed.”

The Governor told the President that South Dakotans continue to help those in need, but said federal assistance is also needed for the long-term recovery.

“The impact of this event will be felt in these communities well into the future,” said Noem. “However, with the availability of federal assistance, combined with the state, local, and voluntary assistance provided, it will help individuals, businesses, and government inch closer to recovering from this disaster.”

Noem has designated the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Emergency Management as the lead agency for the disaster recovery.

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I have to give credit to socialist democrat Cory Heidelberger this evening for the funniest thing I’ve read today:

Dems, recognize the gravity of your situation, but don’t be lured by lazy SDGOP lies into thinking things are worse than they are.

Read that here.

So the Democrat party vice-chairman refuses to take the chair job when the chair (and ED) resigns, kicking the can down the road for a month and a half until they can find someone who wants to captain the Titanic, they’re on $10,000 monthly welfare checks from the national democrat party, yet STILL overspending in a state of deficit spending, they’ve had to close their offices, they’re in debt by $47,000, the FEC says they’re facing over $20,000 in impermissible contributions they’ll probably have to give back, not to mention whatever fine they’ll receive for the same audit, and the author himself has questioned whether they should just dissolve the Democrat party….

… but, Democrats should not be “lured by lazy SDGOP lies into thinking things are worse than they are.”

Dang. Now that’s funny.

I’m not sure how anyone could be convinced into thinking things are worse than they are. Because I don’t know that anyone could have made anything this bad up.

Big day for the SDGOP today at the GOP Pheasant hunt with Governor Kristi Noem and US Senator Mike Rounds south of Draper as the GOP faithful shot some birds, and helped raise money towards the GOP’s operations and 2020 campaigns:

On a weekend where state Democrats are trying to figure out “what went wrong,” and “who has to be chair next,” the GOP is bringing together a large group of dedicated South Dakotans for fun and fellowship.

A great example of Republicans working together for a common goal. Thank you Governor Noem and Senator Rounds!

Update – and here’s more photos!

There’s No Place I’d Rather Be
By Sen. John Thune

There’s nothing better than autumn in South Dakota. I always enjoy traveling around the state in the fall. So far this October, I’ve gotten to visit with South Dakota students, present a Purple Heart medal to a Vietnam vet, talk to the new commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base, attend the groundbreaking for Dakota Wesleyan University’s new School of Business Innovation and Leadership, greet a returning Honor Flight, visit some outstanding South Dakota businesses, chat with Sioux Falls’ mayor, and a whole lot more.

And of course, I got to participate in Hobo Day – South Dakota State University’s (SDSU’s) annual homecoming. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big sports guy – in particular a South Dakota sports guy – so I keenly enjoy every visit to the home of the Jacks. And even as a graduate of the University of South Dakota, Hobo Day is a fall highlight. There’s a parade, a lot of good food, and a lot of excited sports fans. What’s not to love?

The best Hobo Days, of course, are when the Jacks win their game, and that’s exactly what they did this year, handily defeating Southern Illinois. And speaking of Jacks football, I know there was a lot of excitement on SDSU’s campus and throughout the Brookings community when ESPN’s College GameDay announced it would cover the annual Dakota Marker matchup, the show’s first-ever visit to South Dakota – a big deal for any college town!

In addition to Hobo Day and Jacks football, one of the things I look forward to the most each fall in South Dakota is the start of pheasant hunting season. I went out with several friends this year, and we had a great day. The weather was gorgeous – that blue, blue South Dakota sky – and the fall colors were finally showing themselves after a late start to the season.

Pheasant hunting’s economic importance to South Dakota is one of the many reasons I’ve worked to support and expand the Conservation Reserve Program. Taking underperforming land out of production is not only good for the environment and for farmers, it’s also key to maintaining wildlife habitat, including pheasant habitat.

I pushed for an increase in the Conservation Reserve Program acreage cap in the 2018 farm bill, and the final bill raised the acreage cap to 27 million acres. I will continue to work to support and strengthen this program to help farmers, benefit the environment, and provide habitat for wildlife – especially the South Dakota pheasant.

With several beautiful fall weekends around the corner (before the white stuff arrives for good), I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible in South Dakota. There’s no place in the world I’d rather be. 

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Pass the USMCA
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) is the trade deal President Trump negotiated to replace and improve upon the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement—NAFTA. The three countries signed it nearly one year ago, but it has yet to be ratified by the U.S. Congress. This agreement would be beneficial not only for our national economy, but also the economy of our state which relies heavily on agriculture.

Once the USMCA is finalized, it will create additional access for U.S. agricultural products and manufactured goods into Canada and Mexico, two of our closest allies and top trading partners. Trade with the two countries supports 37,700 jobs in South Dakota. Last year, South Dakota exported $924 million of goods and ag products to Canada and Mexico. With net farm income down 50 percent since 2013, low commodity prices, trade instability with China and extreme weather conditions, South Dakota farmers and ranchers are suffering. Ag producers across the country are in the same situation. Finalizing this trade agreement would provide all of them with some much-needed relief. It would also benefit manufacturers and small businesses. For example, the USMCA includes language that would require automobile components to be at least 75 percent manufactured in the U.S., Mexico or Canada to qualify for zero tariffs.

Currently, the USMCA is awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. Instead of taking up this important win for American workers and families, House Democrats are more intent on launching partisan attacks and engaging in political theater. There’s no reason we can’t get this done before the end of the year. I’m confident that once the USMCA passes the House, the Senate would take it up in short order. While the House continues to send over partisan legislation that has very little chance of passing the Senate, the USMCA stands as an opportunity for a bipartisan, bicameral win. It has strong support from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, which would help it to pass quickly if it were brought up for a vote. The agreement also has wide support across the country. According to a Morning Consult poll, a majority of Americans want to see the USMCA ratified. I continue to urge Speaker Pelosi to bring it up for a vote.

Ratifying the USMCA should not be a Republican or Democrat issue—it will help the economy in all parts of the country, no matter if it’s a “red” or “blue” district. With the House currently focused on impeaching President Trump, I have concerns about their ability to work on anything bipartisan, like the USMCA.

I came to Washington to get things done. We have already made significant steps to improve our economy through deregulation, historic tax reform and Dodd-Frank reform. However, improving and finalizing trade agreements will be key to reaching our full economic potential. I’m going to keep pushing Speaker Pelosi and the House to take a vote on the USMCA as soon as possible, for the sake of South Dakota producers and manufacturers.

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Boots on the Ground
By Rep. Dusty Johnson

It’s easy to get distracted by the noise coming out of Washington – each week I aim to stay out of the muck and to focus on the issues impacting our state. People in South Dakota are focused on being productive, bettering their communities, finding solutions, and coming up with ideas that work.

A few weeks ago, I sat down with administrators from the Wall School because in January, Wall became the first school in South Dakota to provide fresh beef from local ranchers. They had to work hard to make that happen because of the federal government’s red tape. It took collaboration on behalf of community members like Josh Geigle, a rancher and school board member who donated the first beef, and Ken Charfauros, the owner of Wall Meats, who processed the beef and ensured all guidelines were met.

This week superintendents and administrators from more than 20 school districts in Western South Dakota gathered to hear how they can incorporate local beef into their school’s lunch like the Wall School. The Wall School also implemented a curriculum to educate students on where their meat comes from – many folks throughout the country are a few generations removed from the farm, it’s important young people know where their food comes from.

The government likes to make everything harder, so after hearing how difficult it was for the Wall School to get local beef into its cafeteria, I introduced the Farm and Ranch to School Act to make this process a little easier. My bill would amend the National School Lunch Act’s Farm to School Program to include funding to make local livestock and meat procurement for school lunch programs a priority. The Farm and Ranch to School Act will give South Dakota producers a fair shake at serving their product in the lunchroom. South Dakota’s students deserve the best and freshest quality meat in their lunches – this legislation will make that a reality.

At the end of the day, it’s my job to work for the boots on the ground – the people of South Dakota. For that reason, another piece of legislation was put in motion this week.

I introduced the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act to supply producers with the tools needed to anticipate highs and lows in the futures markets. Farmers and Ranchers wear many hats, we should make sure marketing tools are available and easy to use. Folks are facing tough weather and understanding cattle prices doesn’t need to be an added challenge.

You know better than the federal government ever will, and it’s my hope the legislation I introduce equips folks back home with the tools to be self-sufficient.

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This is South Dakota
A Special Guest Column by First Gentleman Bryon Noem

Hello! Bryon Noem here. Earlier this year, I became South Dakota’s first First Gentleman when my wife, Kristi, became the 33rd governor of our state. I’ve had the privilege to stand beside her as she’s tackled some big issues and worked to make South Dakota stronger for the next generation… I’m pretty proud of her!

When Kristi was elected, people wanted to know what I would be called since there had only been First Ladies before, and… well… I’m not a lady. For anyone who knows me, you know that I’m not a very formal person. “First Husband” seemed odd. We threw around the idea of “First Dude…” which got vetoed pretty quick. We finally landed on “First Gentleman,” which still feels pretty rigid, but I’m rolling with it. But, please, if you see me around… just call me Bryon!

In mid-October, I announced my First Gentleman’s initiative. It’s quite simple: I want to celebrate South Dakota and all the things that make it special. I want to remind people of the hidden gems in our small towns – the places off the beaten path. These hometowns are the heartbeat of our state, and I want to highlight them. I want to remind people that these are some of the best places to raise a family or to start a business.

This is something that’s pretty close to home for me. I grew up on a farm outside of Bryant, South Dakota, a community of 456 people. I’m proud of my rural roots. It’s where I learned the values of hard work and self-reliance, where Kristi and I chose to raise our kids, where we started an insurance business and hunting lodge, and where my family has farmed and ranched for a century.

But many small towns like ours are struggling today. Class sizes are dropping. Businesses can’t afford to stay open. And fewer kids are coming home to farm or ranch.

While South Dakota has grown by more than 100,000 people since 2000, rural populations have decreased. Seeing our larger communities flourish is exciting, but I want to make sure we don’t lose South Dakota’s rural culture either. I want to show people that our way of life here is worth celebrating and promoting. I want to listen to peoples’ stories and learn from their experiences, then share them with others.

So over the next few years, I’ll be traveling to communities and uncovering the big things in our small towns. I want to listen to people tell stories about their hometowns. Whether it’s hearing the stories of a veteran over morning coffee… shooting hoops with the mayor and hearing about the good and tough times a town has gone through… eating ice cream and learning about the heritage of a community… I want to hear it all and share those stories with you. It’s my mission to celebrate the incredible value our small towns bring to our state.

Join me on this journey by following my Facebook page: @FGBryonNoem. This is South Dakota!

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