I was informed this morning that State Senator Arch Beal has taken seriously ill, has undergone surgery, and is currently in the hospital.
Please keep Arch and his entire family in your prayers for his speedy recovery, and joining other senators in Pierre where they start convening next week.
(We need him back to poke questionable lobbyists when it’s appropriate.)
I get the feeling that the Democrat running for Secretary of State has never stepped foot in that office, and quite possibly knows less about it than Heather Baxter.
Democrat Terrance Davis is on social media, declaring that under him, the Secretary of State’s office would add a dedicated investigative division.
What? How many FTE’s does he plan on requesting from the legislature for this? Is someone out there saying we need more government? Or if he’s going to accomplish it within the current budget confines of the office, which divisions does he plan on stripping staff from to create this new Division of Investigation?
The Secretary of State‘s office is not one of the larger ones within the State of South Dakota. Not to mention, the Secretary of State is considered the state’s record keeper – not an investigator or prosecutor. The investigative function generally resides with the Attorney General. I can’t imagine that they would be all hot and bothered about this proposal, either.
While it might sound bright and shiny when Terrance is making a campaign speech, when the rubber hits the road, adding employees and an entire new division is one of those dogs that is never going to hunt.
In response to a letter from the Democratic National Committee to ten different states with regards to purging voters from the voting rolls, South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson has issued the following release:
SECRETARY OF STATE RESPONDS TO DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE LETTER
(Pierre, S.D.) – Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson received a letter from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) concerning the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and removing voters from the voter registration rolls.
Secretary Johnson says, “We are confident in the accuracy of our voter registration list, and we look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Justice in its effort to ensure compliance with federal election laws.” Secretary Johnson further states that South Dakota has no plans to violate the NVRA and has only removed voters from the voter registration rolls with due process.
For more information on voter registration in South Dakota, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.
Republicans’ Landmark Bill Gets to Work for South Dakotans
By Sen. John Thune
Last year, Republicans followed through on our promises to the American people by passing landmark legislation to support safer streets, put more money in hardworking Americans’ pockets, and create new opportunities to get ahead. The Working Families Tax Cuts that Republicans passed last July contains a decade of legislating in a single bill, and it will make a generational impact that the American people will begin to feel this year.
First and foremost is that the Working Families Tax Cuts delivered permanent tax relief for hardworking Americans, preventing a $2,500 tax hike on a typical South Dakota family beginning this year. As South Dakotans prepare to file their taxes, they can plan on taking advantage of a larger standard deduction, and seniors can claim an additional bonus deduction on top of that. We raised the child tax credit to $2,200 per child, which working families will be able to claim on this year’s tax return. Workers who earn tips and overtime pay won’t have to pay federal taxes on that income either. And all of that adds up to bigger tax refunds for a lot of South Dakotans in April.
Republicans’ landmark legislation also made a generational investment in rural health care. In the last two decades, more than 100 hospitals have closed across rural America. But thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, help is on the way. This bill created a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to address the rural health care crisis. Instead of a top-down approach centered in Washington, we gave states the resources and freedom to find solutions to their unique challenges. And in South Dakota, that funding will go toward creating regional hubs for emergency services, a major investment in telehealth, and to bolster our rural health care workforce, among other priorities.
This bill also made a significant investment in public safety and national security. It included funding for state and local law enforcement agencies, including efforts to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. It made a generational investment in border security, supporting the hiring of new enforcement agents, finishing the border wall, and deploying technology and resources to the southern border. And it supported much-needed efforts to modernize our military and ensure that America’s men and women in uniform have the very best capabilities to defend our national security from whatever threats may arise.
The contents and impact of this legislation are significant, and there’s much more I could say about it. I could talk about its sizeable investment in the programs that farmers and ranchers depend on; or tax policies that help small businesses grow; or its provisions addressing waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs. This bill is filled with wins for the American people, and I can’t wait for that story to unfold in South Dakota and in every corner of America.
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Running a side business assisting candidates with mail, and one of the first thing I have to point out is that not only is mail more expensive to do this year, the timelines from when mail goes in, to when it shows up in mailboxes is insane. What used to take 2 days… now plan for a week.
So when Senator Mike Rounds points these things out – it’s well worth repeating because he’s 100% correct. The US Postal service needs to fix this mess:
Deregulation and Fraud Investigations
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
January 9, 2026
BIG Update
My bill to protect the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre was signed into law. I’m thankful for the work of tribal leaders from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to preserve this land for generations to come and for the leadership of Senators Rounds and Thune who helped get this bill across the finish line.
I had the honor of attending the ceremony to mark the 135th anniversary of this tragedy at the Wounded Knee Site on the Pine Ridge Reservation. This year, while the gathering was sorrowful, we could acknowledge that something special happened—our bill became law and tribes have permanent ownership of this land. I’m grateful this important legislation, which honors the lives lost and protects the land, is now law.
BIG Idea
Under President Biden, home costs increased greatly, monthly mortgages became unattainable for many, and rental prices rose exponentially. The average household pays $16,000 annually in regulatory costs which was exacerbated by the $1.8 trillion in regulations implemented under Biden’s administration.
In just one year, Congress and the Trump administration have brought housing-related inflation to a four-year low, and rental prices continue to decline. Just this week, I voted to reduce federal regulations on manufactured homes to improve their affordability. Government regulation should not stand in the way the American Dream. I’m working to end the era of overregulation to lower costs for Americans.
BIG News
Americans should trust their tax dollars are spent wisely. In Minnesota, federal program fraud is estimated to top $9 billion. This level of abuse is unacceptable and those responsible should be held accountable. This week, the House Oversight Committee held a hearing on this fraud and will continue to evaluate these programs. So far, investigations have found $60 million in Medicaid fraud and more than $1 billion in fraudulent payments intended for housing, autism care, and community support programs.
These federal programs are designed to support those who need it most. This is why I’ve been focused on reforming these programs to ensure these dollars are spent wisely and with the greatest impact.
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Court Hearing on Attorney General Jackley’s Injunction On Abortion Deceptive Advertising Moved to Friday, Jan. 16, in Pierre
PIERRE, S.D. – Next week’s court hearing on South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley’s motion to stop Mayday Health from deceptively advertising the sale of abortion pills and abortion services in South Dakota has been rescheduled.
The hearing had originally been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12. It has been moved to 9 a.m., CST Friday, Jan. 16. The hearing will be held at the Hughes County Courthouse in Pierre.
For more information, contact Tony Mangan at 605-773-6878.
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Here we go. Senator California Carley as joined by Representatives Aylward, Baxter, Jensen and Jordan who have put in a bill – Senate Bill 66 – to violate the voting rights of the disabled, and to deny them the use of assistive voting technology.
Why? Because the election conspiracists don’t like them? Those pesky disabled people with their federal laws guaranteeing their rights. It’s as if they view them as only an obstacle to the goofball crowd’s demands for the finger and toe counting of ballots.
As posted to the LRC’s website:
2026 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Bill 66An Act to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment and electronic ballot marking systems.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 12-1:
The State Board of Elections may not authorize the use of any automatic tabulating equipment or electronic ballot marking system.
The governing body of a political subdivision having supervision of an election may not adopt, implement, or use any automatic tabulating or electronic ballot marking system in an election.
Read the rest of Carley & crew’s discriminatory measure here.
Underlining the problem with their nonsense – IT VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW. It always has!
Voting technologies designed to improve the accessibility of ballot marking, verifying, and casting for all voters are required by federal law. The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and the undersigned organizations declare that any state or jurisdiction that terminates use of an accessible voting system is in clear violation of existing law and is at high risk of litigation.
And..
Accessible voting technologies currently in use for in person voting were designed to ensure that all eligible voters have access to a private and independent ballot. They are required by federal law, and their use is mandated in all local, state, and federal elections. Hand marked paper ballots are not accessible and do not meet the requirements of federal law. People with disabilities have the same right as their fellow Americans to cast a private and independent vote to ensure their voices are heard on every Election Day; it is the responsibility of state and local election officials to make this right a reality.
Read the 2022 letter from the National Disability Rights Network here.
So California Carley and the election conspiracist’s choice for Secretary of State – Heather Baxter – have introduced legislation to try to deny the ability to vote for a segment of our society, even though it is clearly and demonstrably against federal law?
What are these people thinking?
Johnson Unveils Property Tax Relief Plan
Sioux Falls, S.D. – Today, gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Dusty Johnson announced a comprehensive and responsible plan to deliver meaningful property tax relief to South Dakota homeowners beginning in 2027, making homeownership more affordable for seniors, hardworking families, and first-time homebuyers across the state.
“South Dakotans are getting squeezed by rising property taxes,” said Johnson. “My plan delivers for working families, seniors on a fixed income, and helps the next generation put down roots here in South Dakota. It keeps our state on solid financial footing, protects our law enforcement and public school funding, and provides real relief to every homeowner.”
Johnson’s fiscally responsible property tax relief plan includes the following:
“We don’t want the American dream to slip away,” Johnson continued. “We want young people to be able to afford that first home. My plan not only brings this dream closer for folks, it also provides immediate, broad-based relief to homeowners of all ages, without defunding schools, public safety, or infrastructure.”
Johnson’s plan is fully paid for by using funds from the sales tax change in current law, which comes into effect in 2027.
To learn more about Johnson’s property tax relief plan, please click here.
From facebook, Congressman Dusty Johnson is offering his property tax relief plan, focusing on directing the relief towards owner-occupied properties. (as opposed to giving Ted Turner a tax break).
Off the cuff cliff notes are that the plan includes:
– Annual $400 property tax credit for owner-occupied homeowners
– No property taxes for first-time homebuyers for the first two years.
What do you think? Is this more realistic than just ending property taxes with no details on how to replace the revenue or cut spending?