(h/t to Larry Mann) I just saw this on Facebook that former Republican State Senator Jim Emery recently passed away:

James William (Jim) Emery, 87, died Friday, December 10, 2021, in the memory care unit at Peaceful Pines Senior Living Center in Rapid City.

An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Jim was born at Cheyenne Agency, SD on January 24, 1934 to James E. Emery and Edith V. (Claymore) Emery. He attended school in Pluma, Nisland and Deadwood, SD graduating from Deadwood High School in 1952.

and..

Jim spent much of his life serving others. He was an officer with the Rapid City Jaycees, the chairman of the South Dakota Commission on Indian Affairs, a member of the Hot Springs and Custer City Councils, the president of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, the founder and first president of the Hot Springs Development Corporation, a member of the Development Committee of the Custer Chamber of Commerce, the president of the South Dakota State Board of Education and a board member for the Black Hills Area Boy Scout Council and Children’s Home Society. He was a long-time member of both Rotary Club and Lions Club.

Jim served in the South Dakota State Legislature, representing District 30, for 12 years (1985 – 1996) – one year in the House of Representatives and 11 years in the Senate. He was also a member of the board of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation for nearly 40 years, serving as treasurer and a member of the executive committee.

Read the obituary here, and please keep his family in your prayers.

BFM Releases 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM) released South Dakota’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2021. The ACFR is the audited financial statements for state government.

“South Dakota is setting an example for the nation with our strong financial position and our continued dedication to being ‘Open for Business,’” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I look forward to working with the legislature in the coming months to invest wisely for the future and continue our commitment to fiscal responsibility.”

With the continued dedicated effort of the Department of Legislative Audit and other state agencies, BFM has succeeded in issuing the ACFR by the end of the year. Highlights from the fiscal year 2021 ACFR include:

• The State’s total net position (net worth) is $8.1 billion, an increase of 10% from the prior fiscal year;
• The combined ending balance of the State’s reserves is $307.1 million, an increase of $91.2 million;
• The South Dakota Retirement System has a funded status of 105.5%, one of the strongest pension plans in the nation; and
• The State has maintained its AAA public issuer rating from Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Moody’s for the past five fiscal years. This represents the highest rating possible from all three bond rating agencies.

The ACFR can be viewed online at bfm.sd.gov/acfr, or for printed copies, contact BFM at 605-773-3411.

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Guest Column: Cherishing Christmas
By David Forsythe, Wounded Warrior Fellow with Rep. Dusty Johnson’s Office
December 21, 2021

At this time three years ago, I was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. Averaging two missions a day with rocket attacks becoming a normal nighttime activity, it was common to lose sight of holidays and dates of significance. However, if there was any down time, our attention would automatically shift to back home – especially around the holidays.

Contacting family members and opening care packages were ways to help temporarily fade the distance between us and home. However, one of the toughest feelings as a deployed service member is the potential of what you are missing out on. For some it could be the Christmas lights or decorating trees, but to me, the thing I missed the most about the holidays was bringing everyone together. Physically being with family and loved ones is something many take for granted. The experiences of someone sharing their progress in a new job or adding a new family member is something that can’t be replaced or replicated over the phone. Forfeiting these moments for America is part of the job and something I do not regret, but an emotion I felt deeply this time of year.

Now that I am back, I cherish these holidays that I have with my family more than I did before. Knowing that two soldiers in my platoon made the ultimate sacrifice, I am grateful for each second that I get to spend back home. The perspective of their loss makes most problems I have disappear and amplifies what I have now. I recently moved to South Dakota and get to serve other veterans and help them realize that they always have support in their corner. I am glad to be on a team dedicated to serving our state and its many heroes.

I was reminded of South Dakota’s appreciation for its service members at a Vietnam veteran commemoration ceremony in Sturgis this week. Much to my surprise, my own father was honored posthumously for his service in Vietnam. That moment of thanks means more to those who served than many can understand. I wake up every day excited to honor this legacy. This holiday season, I hope you’ll join me in remembering those who sacrificed it all so we can enjoy this season together.

Rep. Dusty Johnson presents David Forsythe a Vietnam Veteran Commemorative pin posthumously honoring David’s father, John Henry Howard Forsythe, Jr.

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A noticed that a new website popped up in my twitter feed that I didn’t recognize with a column by State Rep. Jon Hansen.  The website is titled “The Dakota Conservative Newsletter,” and Hansen’s column was was noting his critique over the Governor’s proposed budget:

How State-Level Republican Officials Should Respond To Biden’s Reckless Spending
By: Jon Hansen, South Dakota State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Dakota House.

Republican elected officials at the state level have been handed billions of dollars from the feds and now have discretion over how it is to be spent. If we Republicans denounce the left’s big deficit, special interest spending, but then take part in that spending ourselves, we are just as fiscally irresponsible as those in Washington DC.

and..

Instead, Republicans should reject leftist economic thought and embrace the principles that made their party—and their country—great. Limit government intrusion in the free market–don’t pick winners and losers via massive capital injection based upon centralized decision making. Make families the focus of our budgeting. Lower tax burdens on families so they can spend more of their own hard earned money….. (etcetera).

Read it here.

And Hansen argues we should give it back, or spend it the way he wants to, because he believes his way to be more conservative.  Which is his opinion, and he’s certainly entitled to it.

I was more interested in the website, and where it’s coming from, as it certainly bills itself as having lofty ideals:

The Dakota Conservative Newsletter: A publication dedicated to fighting for South Dakota families and authentic conservative governance in our state by speaking the truth, leading with principle, standing up for pro-family, conservative values, and holding the powerful accountable.

Why The Dakota Conservative Newsletter was created: Everyday South Dakotans must fight for our South Dakota way of life by protecting families and demanding conservative governance from politicians. Unfortunately, too many powerful people in government, political parties, and big corporations don’t hold the same pro-family, conservative values that we do. We will speak the truth and hold the powerful accountable for their actions that harm families.

Read that here.

The website bills itself as a newsletter that will be “holding the powerful accountable,” and “demanding conservative governance from politicians,” as well as a restatement that they will “speak the truth and hold the powerful accountable for their actions..”

So, who is they?  Well.. a simple web search indicates..

At least according to the whois registration information, it indicates that the site was registered by “Jon Hansen for House.”

I hate to point out the obvious, but Jon is the #2 person in the State House of Representatives, as well as being Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

If the Speaker Pro Tempore isn’t considered a powerful politician in the whole scheme of things in the state, who exactly is he looking to hold accountable? Because there’s only a Legislator or two above him, and then you’re on to to the statewide officials.

As we start to wind into session, I’m sure we’ll hear more about the alleged misdeeds of the powerful according to.. the also powerful.

You can read it here at dakotaconservative.com.

The New York Times has an article posted this afternoon about Senator Thune weighing the possibility of becoming the next US Senate Majority Leader against not commuting to Washington:

Mr. Thune has said he will decide his intentions over the holidays. Yet a number of his friends and colleagues have become convinced that he is serious about leaving public life.

Among those alarmed is Mr. McConnell himself, who one adviser said had “leaned in” on pushing Mr. Thune to run again.

“I certainly hope that he will run for re-election, and that’s certainly what I and others have been encouraging him to do all year long,” Mr. McConnell said in an interview.

and..

Two top Senate Republican allies of Mr. Trump said he would probably refrain from targeting Mr. Thune simply because the senator, who is popular at home and has a well-stocked campaign war chest, is unlikely to lose a primary in the state that first elected him to Congress in 1996.

“He likes winners, and John Thune is a winner,” said Mr. Cramer, predicting that Mr. Trump would at most be “a nuisance” to Mr. Thune.

Read the entire story here.

This follows a story in the Argus Leader with more local speculation about him running again:

But Thune has built a reputation of getting things done for Republicans, even if it’s done quietly. In just the past few days, Republicans, with the help of Democrats Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, have blocked the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better legislation, a mammoth spending bill, as well as legislation that would have federalized state election laws. Perhaps no Republican is more responsible for these victories than Thune, who enjoys close personal relationships with both Manchin and Sinema.

The prospect of becoming a Senate leader is one reason why longtime Thune supporters are hoping he runs again.

“Somebody’s got to do it, and I think he’s the most qualified person in the country to do it,” Sioux Falls businessman Tom Everist said.

Read it here.

John Thune has been a consistent and thoughtful leader for the SDGOP’s for a number of years now, and I know I would certainly like to see him continue being our senior US Senator.  John is truly a good person, and I can appreciate that he’s having second thoughts about the back and forth.

I don’t for a moment believe there will be “bedlam” as Jon Ellis with the Argus predicts.. a somewhat silly assertion. If the Senator doesn’t run, there will be a number of people who step up. The first and most obvious choice would be Congressman Dusty Johnson, as he’s immediately equipped to pull the trigger on such a race.

I would venture the more fierce battle would be for Congress, with Taffy Howard, a primary candidate already in place who would now find herself facing a wider field of candidates ready to step up to the plate. I think there you might see state legislators, as well as candidates from outside the current political structure who want to take a run. Keep in mind that of our people in DC, only Mike Rounds was a State Legislator. John Thune was ED of the GOP and a former Senate Staffer for Abdnor. Dusty came from PUC and COS for Daugaard.

There’s a couple on my short list who I think have the connections and the personal charisma to move a Congressional race forward. But we’ll see.

I’m rooting for one more term for Senator Thune.

Apparently KELOland thought they should tell us something we already knew.

Former Sioux Falls mayor Mike Huether says after much consideration and encouragement, he tells me he has decided not to run for Governor in 2022 #kelonews pic.twitter.com/eRDx1KvDGx

— Don Jorgensen (@donjorgensen) December 21, 2021

Um.. so yeah. Well, I’m not running either, but only one of us decided not to make a big deal about it.

A new Kristi Noem for Governor Campaign video is being pushed out today in an e-mail blast that went to supporters in conjunction with a fundraising appeal.

The video focuses on Noem’s decision to not shut down South Dakota during COVID, as well as sending the National Guard to the Southern Border.

It is definitely red meat for Noem supporters as it touts her conservative talking points, and points out that ALEC considers her the best Governor in the nation for 2021.

US DISTRICT COURT HALTS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S FEDERAL CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS VACCINE MANDATE

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg announced today that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri has sustained the motion for a preliminary injunction on the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors. The Court stated that “Defendants are enjoined from enforcing the vaccine mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors in all covered contracts in Missouri, Nebraska, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.”

The preliminary injunction stops the enforcement of a vaccine mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors in all covered contracts in the states which brought this suit against the Biden Administration.

“This is just another step in our continuing fight against federal overreach,” said Ravnsborg. “I am once again proud to stand with my fellow Attorneys General in defending our state’s rights and protecting our citizens.”

The full ruling can be read here.

-30-

 

Gov. Noem Announces Legislation Blocking Critical Race Theory

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the text of draft legislation to block Critical Race Theory (CRT) as the basis of education for South Dakota students.

“Americans believe ‘all men are created equal,’ and we also believe the American dream is available to all regardless of race, color, or national origin,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Our schools should teach our children our nation’s true and honest history. They should teach about our successes in establishing a country that is a beacon of freedom to the world and our mistakes along the way. Our children should not, however, be taught the false and divisive message that they are responsible for the shortcomings of past generations and other members of our respective races.”

The legislation blocks any education based on the following false tenets:

• That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior;
• That individuals should be adversely treated or feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or
• That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.

Governor Noem previously addressed CRT with her signing of Executive Order 2021-11, which blocked federal civics and history grants from being pursued in South Dakota.

Governor Noem was also the first candidate for public office in the country to sign the 1776 Pledge to Save Our Schools, and she published an op-ed with Dr. Ben Carson outlining that decision.

You can read the draft legislation here.

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From my Mailbox:
Adam Grimm (43) of Wallace, S.D. has decided to run for the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 4.

“My wife Janet and I moved to South Dakota 15 years ago in pursuit of a life closer to nature as well as our strongly held conservative values.

I have been a self-employed businessman for more than 20 years. As a professional Wildlife Artist, I could live almost anywhere. Having visited every state in the nation, there is a reason I chose to live where I do. In South Dakota, I am where I belong. Other people leave this area to vacation somewhere else. For me, this is my somewhere else! I love our state, I love the people, I love the land, and I love the wildlife.

We are the proud parents of four wonderful children. I’m running to keep South Dakota great for our kids and for all future generations. A lot has changed in the past couple of years. Citizens’ rights, principles, and values have come under attack. As a concerned parent, I can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch everything we care about slip away. With your help and your vote, I would be honored to represent the people and protect the conservative values of our District.

I welcome hearing from you. If there’s anything you’d like to discuss, email me at adamgrimmart@gmail.com”

Editor: Adam has a facebook page up for his campaign at https://www.facebook.com/Adam-Grimm-for-State-House-District-4-106713198542846/)