From my mailbox:

Today I saw a facebook post from Steve Haugaard clucking about the educational funding formula as part of his claims of “what he will do” as Governor.

And it was a reminder to me that both of the challengers who are looking for the job as Governor are talking a lot of smack about education.. but if you look at the track record of the bills they’ve been the prime sponsor of, that unwavering commitment to education only seems to bubble up at election time to quickly blow away in the wind.

First off, Democrat Candidate for Governor Jamie Smith.  In his announcement for Governor a couple weeks back, Smith noted:

Smith, who is also a Sioux Falls real estate agent, acknowledged that he faced an “uphill climb” as he enters a race in which Noem has already raised $11.8 million and carved out a nationwide profile among Republicans. He told The Associated Press he plans to make a broad appeal to “Democrats, independents and Republicans” and that he will portray Noem as setting her political ambitions above state interests.

and..

Smith, who also has worked as a teacher and wrestling coach, plans to focus on bolstering education resources. He said also he will pitch improvements to mental health resources and plans to reduce incarceration rates. He pointed to his record of “building bridges” in the Legislature to “solve real problems.”

Read that here.

And it’s not just now that Smith has made promises about education. This former teacher and wrestling coach has given lip service education over his legislative career. Here he is in the May 27, 2018 Argus Leader expressing his commitment to education:

And he said it again in October (10.28.18, Argus Leader)

How many bills did he introduce in 2019/2020 on education?    In 2019, Smith was the prime sponsor of NO bills in the House, although he did prime a couple of resolutions and to represent 2 Senate bills in the house. In 2020, Smith had three bills he brought. And they had nothing to do with education, despite it being claimed as his top reason for running.

In 2021, he brought two bills, one a vague hoghouse measure, and another one regarding call centers. Funny. Neither one had anything to do with education. And in 2022, while he brought a bill that used the word “school” this year, it has nothing to do with funding, and only tries to tie the hands of police investigating crimes.

And it doesn’t get any better as you go farther back.

So when Jamie Smith, a former teacher and coach says that education is a top priority.. well, if you look at his actual legislative record of bills he brought to the table? That claim falls pretty short.

Now, we move on to GOP Challenger Steve Haugaard’s smack talk on education:

So, State Representative (and Gubernatorial Candidate NOT endorsed by Donald Trump) Steve Haugaard makes the statement yesterday bemoaning that “teachers and schools in South Dakota cannot properly meet the needs of their students” and laments that the Education Funding Formula “has never adequately met the needs of schools across the state.”

So, when exactly has Steve been the prime sponsor of legislation that addresses his concerns over the education funding formula?  He’s been in in the legislature a lot of years. Because I seem to be having a lot of trouble locating it in the record.

Did he bring legislation in 2015 to right this wrong? Nope.

In 2016?  Not seeing it.

In 2017?  There must be an error in the system, because I’m not finding it.

In 2018?  ZERO education funding bills.

In 2019? There was a Haugaard hoghouse bill “to revise and enhance provisions regarding state education,” which had entirely no content. Which seems to be  pretty accurate at this point.

In 2020? Still no bills on the ed formula. Nunca. Nil.

In 2021?  No bills on education funding. But he did have a bill to require divorcing parents to take a parenting class. Because Steve thinks we need government to teach us how to parent. Thankfully that bill went down in flames, because no one needs another mandate from government.

How about this year?  Despite his lamentation yesterday, Steve Haugaard has no legislation currently introduced to address what he sees as problems with the education funding formula.

Which as you’re seeing, appears to be a common theme among the people who want the big chair.

Lots of lightning and thunder when they talk to the media or place ads.

But they just have never taken any initiative to make it rain.

Senator John Thune is in the news today with sharp criticism for the Biden administration over their blind obedience to teachers’ unions when it comes to children to wearing face masks in school:

“Even the World Health Organization says for kids under five this masking does not make a difference in their safety or in their overall interests,” the South Dakota Republican and sponsor of the Preventing Mandates on Toddler Act told Newsmax’s “Rob Schmitt Tonight” Wednesday.

and..

“I think what’s happening is they’re looking at poll numbers,” Thune said of moves to ease the mandates in several states. “I mean, they are realizing they are losing ground with moderate voters in this country with moms who are just tired of having to let their you know, require their little kids to mask up even when they go to places like Head Start.”

The requirements aren’t a recommendation, but “a mandate for these kids in these Head Start schools, there are 1600 of these schools around the country.” said Thune.

Read the entire story here.

 PINNOW FOR HOUSE 

“Experienced Leadership for Northwest South Dakota” 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2022 

LEMMON, SD–Neal Pinnow of Lemmon, announces today that he will seek the Republican nomination for the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 28B. District 28B encompasses all of Butte and Harding Counties and the northern one-third of Perkins County. 

Neal was raised on a farm and ranch near Baker, Montana, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dickinson State University and moved to the Lemmon area in 1994. Since that time, Neal has raised a family, taught high school business courses, owns a small business and is very involved in community affairs including 20 years on the city council and as Mayor of the City of Lemmon. Prior to his service in city government, Neal served on the economic development and chamber of commerce boards. During Mayor Pinnow’s tenure, Lemmon has become a leader in rural economic development and has witnessed business expansion in a time where many small towns struggle. His service to the community includes membership on the Lemmon Fire Department where he serves as the Training Officer and 2nd Assistant Chief. 

Neal Pinnow is a small business owner and is the manager and owner of Hausauer Seamless Products, LLC. This business serves the vast trade area around Lemmon and like all businesses in District 28B, is deeply dependent on production agriculture. As a small business owner, Neal is very aware that excess government regulation and taxes can have detrimental consequences to all business owners, wage earners, farmers and ranchers. Neal’s business currently employs 11 individuals. 

“I enjoy serving the public and have the right experience to effectively represent Northwest South Dakota in Pierre. Whenever the City of Lemmon faced a problem in the past decade, we took that problem head on. When a major farm-to-market street in town needed repair, I lead the project and cut red tape that involved two states, two counties and the city. By working together, we got the job done and I will take that same experience and ambition to Pierre to fight for agriculture, small businesses and conservative values,” states Pinnow. 

Neal lives in Lemmon with his wife Lisa, has three grown children and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. 

Governor Noem Vetoes Senate Bill 76

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem vetoed Senate Bill 76. The Governor’s veto message to the legislature reads as follows:

Dear Mr. President and Members of the Senate,

I respectfully return to you Senate Bill 76 with my VETO.  Senate Bill 76 is an Act to revise certain provisions regarding the minimum amount of a lottery prize that is subject to setoff.

When the Lottery was created, a debt setoff system was established where debts could be deducted by the amount won by a winning lottery ticket.  Some of those debts are past due child support payments.  While this bill may appear harmless, increasing the setoff amount will have consequences on families and helps people avoid their obligations.

In the last two years, 44 prizes from winning lottery tickets were under $599 and helped pay past due child support obligations.  This resulted in South Dakota families receiving resources that were due to them.  Under this legislation, those families may not have received that support to buy essentials.

While I support the current law for efficiency purposes, increasing that amount automatically paid to $599 goes too far.  South Dakota must stand as an example for the rest of the country that we put the well-being of our children before convenience.  Our focus must be on leading for South Dakota’s next generation.

For these reasons, I oppose Senate Bill 76 and ask that you sustain my veto.

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Gov. Noem to LA County Cops: “Come to South Dakota”

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem invited Los Angeles County law enforcement officers who are facing potential firing over their personal health choices to move to South Dakota. 4,000 Los Angeles County officers are facing potential firing over their vaccination status.

“South Dakota honors our law enforcement officers, and we respect personal freedom. In particular, we appreciate the tireless work that law enforcement does to defend our freedoms,” said Governor Noem. “In South Dakota, you will not be fired for making personal health decisions. We are working on legislation to protect your right to medical, religious, and natural immunity exemptions to COVID-19 vaccinations. We would love to have you come join us.”

In October 2020, Governor Noem launched a campaign to recruit law enforcement officers to move to South Dakota. The campaign led to hundreds of law enforcement officers being hired in South Dakota.

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Thune: Biden Prioritizes Pet Projects Instead of Addressing Rampant Supply Chain Crisis

“The administration’s hostility to traditional energy production has helped drive energy prices up, which is aggravating our supply chain and inflation crises.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called out the Biden administration for focusing on pet projects instead of addressing the country’s rampant supply chain crisis. Thune noted that some ocean carriers are refusing to transport certain goods, such as South Dakota agricultural products, and he discussed his recent legislation that would address the problem and create a more level playing field for producers.

I have a bad feeling about this.

State Representative and Gubernatorial wannabe Steve Haugaard has new legislative measure that he wants South Dakotans to vote on. And anyone who has seen the Star Wars prequel trilogy knows that it’s just opening up a can of worms.

2022 South Dakota Legislature
House Joint Resolution 5003

Introduced by: Representatives Haugaard (prime), Jensen (Phil), and Randolph and Senator Frye-Mueller

A JOINT RESOLUTION, proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election a new section to Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the definition of a human being.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein:

Section 1. That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendment to Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in section 2 of this Joint Resolution, which is hereby agreed to, shall be submitted to the electors of the state for approval.

Section 2. That Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be amended with a NEW SECTION to read:

§ 30. Human being–Definition. The term, human being, means each member of the species homo sapiens, at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization or cloning, or other moment at which a member of the species comes into being.

Read that here.

Haugaard’s measure proposes to recognize all members of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life including the moment of fertilization or cloning.  Did Haugaard never see Star Wars Episode 2, Attack of the Clones?

The whole thing is about a secret clone army commissioned by the Jedi being grown in tanks. When the Jedi forces were overwhelmed by the droid army, Yoda shows up with the clone army to save the day… Only to have the pre-programmed clones ordered by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to kill the Jedi in the next movie, Star Wars Episode 3.

And from there it led to the downfall of the Republic, and into 2 decades of rule by the Empire.

Does that all sound kind of dumb? It should. Because Episode 2 easily had the worst writing of all the Star Wars movies, and Episode 3 was only marginally better.

But it’s still not as dumb as asking for cloning to be put in the South Dakota State Constitution.

Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate your friendship and support over the years.

We’d love to have you back on July 4th for fireworks! pic.twitter.com/u1cpizP9wu

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 8, 2022