It’s all about consistency. Nice exchange caught on live feed between @govkristinoem and AP reporter @stephengroves today. pic.twitter.com/Ml4kM64kjm
— South Dakota GOP (@sdgop) February 17, 2022
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Governor Noem and former AG Jackley issue mutual endorsements in respective 2022 elections
FEBRUARY 17, 2022
Pierre, SD – This afternoon, Governor Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Marty Jackley issued mutual endorsements, with Governor Noem endorsing former Attorney General Jackley in his election to retake his former post as South Dakota Attorney General and former Attorney General Jackley endorsing Governor Noem in her campaign for re-election this year.
Governor Noem stated the following in her endorsement of former Attorney General Jackley:
“South Dakota needs an Attorney General that believes in the constitution, has the confidence of law enforcement and the legal community, and understands the law. When any of these are lacking, our entire state feels the effect.
And so today, I am announcing my endorsement of Marty Jackley to be the next Attorney General of South Dakota. I believe that together we can work to uphold the law, keep our communities safe, and do great things for the people of South Dakota.”
Former Attorney General Jackley stated the following in issuing his endorsement of Governor Noem:
“South Dakota is thriving under Governor Noem’s leadership. She has my full support in her campaign for re-election. I am committed to working with Governor Noem and law enforcement to fight crime and to keep our South Dakota families safe. I am honored to receive her support and to offer her mine in this election.”
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Taneeza Islam is finding her path to losing the race for Sioux Falls Mayor is 1 step backwards, and two more steps back after she criticized Mayor Paul TenHaken for giving bonuses to retain city workers.. and found herself being blasted for it by organized labor:
After both ordinances were approved — the vacation time 6-0 and the bonuses 5-1, with Councilor Pat Starr against — Islam tweeted it was “inappropriate for the mayor to ask the City Council to approve a substantial pay package for City employees.”
and..
(Kooper) Caraway (SD Federation of Labor) added “to insinuate that receiving bonuses they’ve earned through negotiations with the city will sway the election is condescending at best” and said the bonuses could not wait.
Oops. You know you’re in trouble as a liberal Democrat when the head of the Federation of Labor lets you have it for trying to use bonuses for workers as a point to complain about.
Rasmussen announces candidacy for one-year term on Brookings City Council
Andrew Rasmussen has announced and filed for the one-year term on the Brookings City Council.
Rasmussen is running for the one-year term as an opportunity to connect the Brookings community and SDSU. By fostering conversation between the constituent groups, Rasmussen believes there can be greater integration between the two groups.
“My background as someone who grew up in Brookings, attended SDSU and as someone who wants to stay in Brookings beyond graduation gives me a unique perspective to the issues facing Brookings,” he said.
Rasmussen’s top goals are to work on workforce development, community engagement, and bring a young voice to the table on housing, retail, and entertainment options.
Rasmussen is a Brookings native and current student at South Dakota State University. He was elected as President of the SDSU Students’ Association in 2021. He is heavily involved in the Brookings community including the Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program and Great After-School Program (GAP), where he works.
He will graduate from SDSU in May with degrees in Journalism and Political Science and intends to continue his education, pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies.
Connect with the Campaign on Facebook: Andrew Rasmussen for Council
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Thune Bill Demands Accountability for Biden Allowing Taliban Takeover of U.S. Military Equipment
Bill would provide important accountability for the U.S. military equipment left behind after botched withdrawal from Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to require the director of national intelligence to report to Congress any time it is determined that U.S. military equipment that was abandoned in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria is used in a terrorist attack against the United States or its allies or used in nearby regions.
“Americans were rightfully shocked to see Taliban fighters celebrating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan atop military equipment funded by U.S. taxpayers,” said Thune. “While there was a significant effort to destroy a portion of the military equipment left behind in the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul, the rapid fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban resulted in insurgents scoring an untold cache of weapons and other equipment. It’s especially insulting to think that this very equipment, issued to provide security and stability, could now be used for evil acts of violence. As the nation seeks answers for the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, this bill would provide important accountability for the equipment left behind and, most importantly, it would provide information to underscore the unacceptable risk of inadvertently arming terrorists by abandoning military equipment.”
This legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).
Thune’s bill would require notification of any known details relating to the equipment used in the attack; the date on which, and the location from which, the equipment left U.S. custody; attribution for the orchestrators of the attack; and the total number of deaths and casualties caused by the attack.
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KASSIN ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR DISTRICT 17 HOUSE
VERMILLION, SD – Chris Kassin, a long-time resident of Vermillion, announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 17, comprised of Clay County and Southern Union County.
“This region has been my home for twenty years and I know firsthand that together we can overcome any challenge, while capitalizing on opportunities for future generations of South Dakotans,” said Chris Kassin. “I promise to bring the same principled, common-sense approach which guides my professional life to Pierre while also keeping my children at the forefront of my decision-making,” Kassin added.
Kassin, a Republican, resides in Vermillion with his wife, Katie, and two children, Collins (8) and Kellen (5). The Kassin’s daughter Collins was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes problems with breathing and digestion.
“Since our daughter was born, we have committed ourselves to causes that cure and treat Cystic Fibrosis,” said Kassin. “Although the fight to cure CF is not over, tremendous advancements have been made. I embrace this new opportunity to advocate for my child and others in need of fair and passionate health care representation,” he added.
Kassin currently serves as the Vice President of External Relations for the University of South Dakota Foundation. In this capacity, Kassin works to secure resources to improve the student experience and make education more affordable. Kassin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota.
For more information, please visit chriskassin.com or send an email to info@chriskassin.com. You can also visit Chris Kassin for House on Facebook.
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From today’s Bryant Dakotan Newspaper, comes the official announcement of the third Republican entrant in the District 4 State House race:
The State House of Representatives continues to be caught up in “Facebook medicine” as they passed a measure yesterday to specify physicians could prescribe the de-worming medication Ivermectin to treat the viral infection we’ve come to know and loathe as COVID:
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a bill specifying that the drug could be legally prescribed in the state. The bill was despite the largely held opinion of the medical community that ivermectin is not an appropriate drug to treat COVID-19.
The bill, House Bill 1267 , is largely a symbolic bill akin to a resolution, as the drug approved by the FDA to fight intestinal worms can already be prescribed by doctors in the state.
But a vocal supporter, Rep. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, cast the bill as a medical freedom option that reaffirms doctors who she believes are hesitant to treat COVID-19 with ivermectin because of a negative stigma or fear or retribution from the medical community or hospital administrators.
and..
Unlike the bill that passed out of the House Health and Human Services Committee last week, the version of HB 1267 that received a 40-28 vote on Monday was amended to still require a doctor’s prescription.
Anecdotally, I did hear that one legislator who voted yes remarked that it wasn’t their business if people were insistent that they wanted to poison themselves. Which, if you look at it in that vein, I would concede, as if someone is dead set to treat themselves with essential oils, sheep dewormer, etcetera, that sometimes you can’t save people from their own folly.
Maybe now is an appropriate time to note a good reminder of actual science; that getting vaccinated against COVID can actually help protect against getting COVID in the first place.
And if you insist on using veterinary medicine… well, at least you know you won’t have worms.
Gov. Noem Appoints Kellie Wasko as Secretary of Corrections
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that Kellie Wasko will be serving as the new Secretary of Corrections, effective March 7, 2022.
“Kellie will bring an abundance of experience and a steady hand to the South Dakota Department of Corrections,” said Governor Noem. “Her experience in corrections reform and her career-long work on correctional healthcare make it clear that she will prioritize the health and safety of both our corrections officers and the men and women confined at our facilities. We are excited to welcome her to the team and to South Dakota.”
Kellie Wasko has dedicated over 22 years in adult and juvenile corrections and currently serves as the CEO/President of Correctional Health Partners in Denver, CO, where she has been since 2019. Previously, Wasko served as the Deputy Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Corrections from 2013 to 2019, where she was responsible for the daily operations of 23 prisons, housing as many as 20,000 offenders; 19 parole offices with jurisdiction of more than 10,000 parolees; and over 6,000 state employees. In that role, she also served as the Health Authority for the department, overseeing all clinical care operations provided to the offender population of all custody levels.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to work on reforms with a team that values correctional professionals and public safety,” said Kellie Wasko. “I admire Governor Noem’s leadership and desire to continue to advance the South Dakota Department of Corrections.”
Prior to serving as Deputy Executive Director, Wasko served as the Director of Clinical and Correctional Services, Director of Strategic Planning and Process Improvement; Assistant Director of Prisons; Warden of four adult institutions to include all custody levels for males and females; Associate Warden to a male close custody facility and female medium custody facility; Health Services Administrator, Nurse Manager, and line staff nurse.
Wasko has worked on numerous reform efforts in her career, and she is active on several national committees. She has served as the Chair of the American Correctional Association’s Healthcare Committee as well as co-chair to the Coalition of Correctional Health Authorities, where she remains active. She has served on numerous sub committees and restrictive housing working groups and has presented nationally and internationally on corrections operations, healthcare, and successful reforms. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Women Executives in Corrections. Wasko was awarded the National Correctional Healthcare Leadership award in 2018.
Wasko has earned nursing degrees from Weber State University and Boise State University.
Doug Clark, who is serving as Interim Secretary of Corrections, will return to his prior role as Deputy Secretary of Corrections.
“Doug stepped up and helped guide the Department of Corrections through a difficult time, and we thank him for his continued service to our state,” said Noem.
You can find a photo of Wasko here.
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The opponents of Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken are doing a lot of whining lately. First, it was about him publicizing already public information. Now, they’re crying about him trying to keep employees in the face of the economy & COVID, pressures which are making it harder for all employers in Sioux Falls:
Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken wants to give nearly all full-time city employees $2,000 to keep them from leaving their jobs in a competitive market.
and..
“If the mayor has waited this long to pay our city employees a wage that they deserve, he can wait until the elections are done,” said Taneeza Islam, who is also running for mayor.
According to the story, nearly 10% of city employees have been rolled over in the last year. And because he’s trying to address the problem that has been building, his opponents are demanding he wait another 4-6 months to fix it. Nevermind that the State and other entities are working to do similar things to retain employees.
It seems that the only ones playing politics are the opponents. (In addition to the whining.)