Insert eye roll here. Because three House members have banded together to declare themselves the holiest of holies, and introduce a resolution declaring that “there is no higher honor than that which comes from raising one’s right hand and solemnly swearing to faithfully discharge the duties of the office to which one has been elected.“

Pardon me, but what a crock of shit.

I do a lot of work with people running for office, and find most of them to be really good people. Just top shelf, because they’re in it to be public servants. Not because they feel that by their selection at the ballot box, they have been anointed by the lord. That’s why the language in this measure is really kind of offensive.

I think a number of us would place members of the military and other public servants such as law enforcement higher on the pecking order over those serving in elected office. And I think a lot of elected officials would agree. Not that legislators are bad people by any means, but when you’re passing a resolution to declare yourself to be more awesome than health care providers who are exposing themselves to a pandemic that’s actually killing people, it falls a little flat.

Representatives Tom Pischke, Aaron Aylward, and Phil Jensen have put their names to a measure where there’s a lot of self-glorification going on. And they should withdraw this self-serving tripe before they embarrass themselves any further.

Of course, the measure doesn’t end at naked egotism and self-conceit as they honor themselves. It also engages in holier-than-thou declarations “that all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate strive to ensure that their conduct and their attention to the people’s business always brings credit to the legislative institution.”

That sounds like a phrase that someone is going to throw back at them later. Did Phil Jensen show his good conduct as an example before or after his declarations about people’s race and the shape of their skulls?  And there are some who think that Tom Pischke’s time in the legislature was less about the people’s business as opposed to less noble pursuits as well.

Ugh. This legislative session is challenging enough without some of the people we’ve sent to Pierre passing resolutions to massage their own egos.

Rounds Votes to Confirm General Lloyd Austin to be Secretary of Defense

WASHINGTON —U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today voted to confirm General Lloyd Austin to be the Secretary of Defense. Rounds also supported a waiver for Mr. Austin, which is necessary because he is not yet seven years removed from military service. Austin was confirmed by a vote of 93-2

“Mr. Austin will make an excellent Secretary of Defense,” said Rounds. “He has earned praise from his colleagues throughout his military career, from the time he entered the Army in 1975 to working his way up to become a four-star general. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with Mr. Austin on continuing to strengthen our national defense, especially in the cyber realm. We will also be working closely with him as we bring the next-generation B-21 Raider bombers to Ellsworth Air Force Base in the near future.”

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Governor Noem Introduces Legislation to Simplify City Zoning Regulations

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will introduce a bill to simplify city zoning regulations and ease the permitting process for homebuilders and homeowners in South Dakota.

“South Dakota’s housing market is booming, and that’s tremendous news, but we don’t want home prices to skyrocket as a result,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We’re streamlining zoning regulations at the city level, building off last year’s success, to ensure that the cost of living remains affordable for residents of our great state. Restrictive zoning laws make it harder for South Dakotans – especially our young people – to find affordable housing. It is essential that we make changes like these to help young adults and young families achieve the American Dream of owning a home. This will have the added benefit of spurring housing development to keep up with the folks moving to South Dakota who want to share our freedom and way of life.”

Last year, Governor Noem supported and signed SB 157, which simplified zoning regulations at the county level. This year’s legislation will make similar improvements to the zoning process at the municipal level.

Restrictive zoning laws make it more expensive to build homes. As Mercatus Center recently testified to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “State and local regulatory constraints on housing supply are the primary cause of high and rising housing prices.” Governor Noem’s legislation will relax such constraints to drive lower housing prices for South Dakotans.

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Had this sent over to me a short time ago. And dang. I can’t stop laughing:

Apparently Lora Hubbel was on Facebook last night making the claim that she’s going to run against Governor Kristi Noem.  Seriously. (Try to stop giggling.)

So is she running as a Republican? Indy? Constitution Party?  Or is she going to switch it up and go Libertarian this time? Who knows.

At the very least, it will provide entertainment. Much like people slow down to look at a car accident or dumpster fire.

Last time she announced she was going to run for Governor (in May of 2017) she lectured her facebook followers about how “all you who take prescription drugs are into “sorcery.”

And.. that campaign ended with Lora abandoning the Republican Party & joining the Constitution Party... and wrecking the Constitution Party.

If this is how her last election started out for the 2018 Gubernatorial contest, I can’t wait to see what she’s going to come up with for 2022.

Republican Senators are giving an attempted impeachment of former US President Donald Trump a thumbs down, as noted by Politico:

Senate Republicans are coalescing around a long-shot bid to dismiss the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump before it even begins, relying on a disputed legal argument that says putting an ex-president on trial is unconstitutional.

and..

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said in an interview that concerns about the constitutionality of putting a former officeholder on trial were top of mind among GOP senators — even those who are open to voting to convict Trump on the House’s charge that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five people dead.

“Our members, irrespective of what they might think about the merits, just believe that this is an exercise that really isn’t grounded constitutionally and, from a practical standpoint, just makes no sense,” Thune said.

Read the entire story here.

Thune Questions Secretary of Transportation Nominee Mayor Pete Buttigieg

“It is crucial that transportation policy and investment continue to recognize the importance of rural areas – where the vast majority of agricultural and industrial commodities originate – to keep the transportation system fluid, dynamic, and interconnected.”

 

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today delivered remarks at the committee’s nomination hearing for Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation. Thune questioned Mayor Buttigieg on his approach to freight rail policy, tribal transportation, and support for state departments of transportation.

Thune’s opening remarks (as prepared for delivery):

“Mayor Buttigieg, thank you for being here today as this Committee considers your nomination for Secretary of Transportation.  Transportation infrastructure investment has always been an area for bipartisan cooperation, as evidenced by passage of the FAST Act, which enjoyed wide popularity in Congress and among states.

“The FAST Act included strong investments in rural America, which are critical for states like South Dakota that rely on Federal investment in transportation infrastructure to ensure the efficient flow of goods to domestic and global markets.  Freight corridors within rural areas are a critical component of the national transportation system.  Those investments benefit the entire country, not just the rural areas. Highways and railways in rural regions must be connected to our nation’s major cities, which need the many products that originate in the heartland.

“It is crucial that transportation policy and investment continue to recognize the importance of rural areas – where the vast majority of agricultural and industrial commodities originate – to keep the transportation system fluid, dynamic, and interconnected.”

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Governor Noem Introduces Legislation on DEX

Also Introduces Legislation to Protect Charitable Organizations

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will introduce two pieces of legislation.

Governor Noem is introducing legislation that will authorize the Department of Agriculture – and future Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) – to contract for construction of the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX).

“In South Dakota, we see challenges as an opportunity to grow, to build for the future,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “The new DEX will be a state-of-the-art facility which will attract regional and national events to Huron. I’m excited for DANR to get to work on this project and to complete the DEX by the 2022 State Fair.”

Additionally, Governor Noem is introducing legislation to protect charitable organizations from having their donor information doxed.

“South Dakotans should be free to give to charity without having their personal information released against their will,” continued Governor Noem. “I am committed to fighting for the privacy rights of all South Dakotans, especially those who generously give of their own treasures to support charitable organizations.”

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Hanson begins fourth term on South Dakota Public Utilities Commission with oath of office

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Gary Hanson took the oath of office on Jan. 4, 2021, marking the official start to his fourth term on the PUC. Hanson’s longtime friend, Judge Larry Long, administered the oath at a private ceremony in Lincoln County.

Hanson was first elected to the PUC in 2002 and was re-elected by South Dakota voters in 2008, 2014 and 2020. During his time with the commission, Hanson has had the opportunity to take on many leadership roles including serving as the PUC’s chairman for seven years, leading the Mid-America Regulatory Conference as their current president and representing South Dakota on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Electricity Committee, Electric Vehicle Working Group, and Low-income Energy Forum, just to name a few.

“I look forward to continue working to keep utility services safe, dependable, and affordable for the citizens of South Dakota and to assure that other states’ political decisions do not adversely affect the cost or reliability of our utilities,” said Hanson.

Hanson has a long history of public service. He was elected to two terms as the mayor of Sioux Falls. Before becoming mayor, he spent six years as Sioux Falls’ utilities commissioner and was responsible for the development and day-to-day activities of three municipal utilities. He also owned several businesses before elected office and was a licensed real estate auctioneer, appraiser and broker.

Hanson’s wife, Sandy, stood with him during his swearing-in ceremony, holding a fifth generation Bible. The couple was surrounded by 14 additional family members.

View Commissioner Hanson’s full biography on the PUC website, www.puc.sd.gov.

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As shocking as the Paul Erickson pardon was, at South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Seth Tupper tonight has noted that Erickson doesn’t just get an early release, he has $3 million of court-ordered restitution to victims wiped away:

Experts say there’s likely no obligation for Erickson to even attempt to pay that money now. Neil Fulton, dean of the University of South Dakota School of Law, said it’s his understanding that in the case of a full and unconditional pardon like the one granted to Erickson, “restitution is wiped out.”

Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney in Alabama, also said it appears that the full and unconditional pardon relieves Erickson of the obligation to pay restitution.

“It’s a get-out-jail-free card and a bank-account-restoration card,” Vance said.

Go read the entire story here.

And the concept of it being wiped away is just offensive.

I do note Governor Noem’s office is making a point by expressly noting “She had nothing whatsoever to do with the Erickson pardon.”

Governor Noem Introduces Legislation to Codify Healthcare Flexibilities

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will introduce two pieces of legislation to codify executive orders that originally provided flexibility to healthcare providers in response to COVID-19. The two pieces of legislation cover telehealth and recognition of out-of-state healthcare licenses.

“COVID-19 challenged us in new, unforeseen ways, and those challenges provided us an opportunity  to adapt and find innovative ways to deliver healthcare in South Dakota,” saidGovernor Kristi Noem. “The flexibilities that we put in place in response to the pandemic have worked, with no concerns regarding their implementation. We will continue to strengthen South Dakota healthcare by welcoming these successes, building on them, and leaving flexibility for even more innovation into the future.”

Governor Noem’s telehealth bill would make certain telehealth flexibilities permanent.

“We greatly expanded telehealth in 2020. Since March, people have used tech services like these more than 70,000 times in South Dakota’s Medicaid program alone,” continuedGovernor Noem. “In 2021, we will build on telehealth advancements and continue to find ways to remove government red tape in healthcare.”

Governor Noem’s license recognition bill would make permanent the recognition of certain out-of-state healthcare licenses.

“Workforce is one of the major challenges facing South Dakota healthcare,” continuedGovernor Noem. “As freedom-loving Americans from around the country continue moving to South Dakota, we can address workforce shortages by recognizing the good work that they did in other states and welcoming them to continue their work by serving South Dakotans.”

Both bills are a permanent extension of portions of Executive Order 2020-07 and Executive Order 2020-16, which Governor Noem signed last year to increase flexibility in the state’s COVID-19 response.

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