From the New York Times comes a column/video today asking where all the Democrat utopias are:

It’s easy to blame the other side. And for many Democrats, it’s obvious that Republicans are thwarting progress toward a more equal society.

and..

In key respects, many blue states are actually doing worse than red states. It is in the blue states where affordable housing is often hardest to find, there are some of the most acute disparities in education funding and economic inequality is increasing most quickly.

Read it & Watch it here.

I listened to the House State Affairs meeting this morning where they finally met to hear Senate Bill 1001 for the Senate version of redistricting, and while the Senators testifying seemed earnest enough, there definitely seemed to be tension in the room.

While I couldn’t judge, since there was no video, and I’m listening on a computer 200 miles away… it’s hard to say where we’re going on this.

They asked mainly about Aberdeen and brought up other areas. And the Senators, Mary Duvall and Casey Crabtree responded, and noted a willingness to discuss modifications in Conference Committee, especially in the Aberdeen area.

There was other testimony, mainly from people looking to protect their own districts. Which I just don’t understand, as the map has taken a number of various forms over past decades.

In the end, let’s just say that I’m not sure how much “give” there is on the part of House Leadership to compromise with the Senate.

Maybe there will be a breakthrough, but I’m not sure we’re there yet.

National Republicans are showing up to advance agricultural export policies…here in South Dakota.
by Luke Lindberg, South Dakota District Export Council

Tomorrow, the South Dakota District Export Council will host a Midwest Agricultural Export Summit for the first time. This regional event brings together agricultural leaders from six states, SD, ND, IA, MN, NE and KS, to coordinate on export policies that will help our farmers and ranchers feed the world. And the speaker list is top-notch.

As we put out requests for individuals to join this summit, the response was overwhelming, particularly from well-known, Republican leaders in agricultural policy. Currently, we have seven confirmed speakers who were appointed to government posts by President Donald J. Trump (myself included) and four confirmed Members of Congress. I’m also pleased that Governor Noem will welcome the attendees to South Dakota.

The speaking list includes:

Former Appointees

• Ambassador Terry Branstad, Former Ambassador to China and Governor of Iowa
• Ambassador Kip Tom, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, and Chief of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations
• The Honorable Kimberly Reed, Former President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States
• The Honorable Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA and Former Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
• The Honorable Ken Barbic, Head of Policy and Government Relations at Farmer’s Business Network and Former Assistant Secretary of Congressional Relations at USDA
• The Honorable Michelle Bekkering, Director of National Engagement at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Former Assistant Administrator at USAID
• Luke J. Lindberg, Former Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States

Members of Congress

• The Honorable John Thune, Senate Minority Whip and U.S. Senator from South Dakota
• The Honorable Dusty Johnson, U.S. Representative from South Dakota
• The Honorable Randy Feenstra, U.S. Representative from Iowa
• The Honorable Michelle Fischbach, U.S. Representative from Minnesota

And our very own Governor, Kristi Noem!

Unfortunately, we were not able to secure any Democratic speakers, despite our best efforts.

The South Dakota District Export Council is hosting this event to ensure our farmers and ranchers are paid a fair price for their meats and grains. Today’s geopolitical environment is far too uncertain for us not to plan for the future, expand access to new markets, and develop the infrastructure needed to export our products.

Please join me in welcoming these great Republicans to South Dakota!

PHOTOS: Governor Farrar Brought into State Capitol; Lying in State

PIERRE, S.D. – Last night, Former Governor Frank L. Farrar was brought into the State Capitol by South Dakota National Guardsmen and South Dakota State Troopers. There was a small ceremony with members of Governor Farrar’s family. Governor Farrar is now lying in state, and his casket was guarded by an honor guard of South Dakota National Guardsmen and South Dakota State Troopers through the night. Photos of the proceedings can be found here, courtesy of the Office of Governor Kristi Noem.

Former Governor Frank L. Farrar will be honored at the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Public viewing will be allowed from 7 am to 11 am CT. A memorial ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda is scheduled for 1 pm to 2 pm.

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I’m thinking the legislative map is going to be redrawn by the Supreme Court at this point, if the news story in the Argus provides any clues:

The Senate’s preferred map, known as Blackbird 2.0, aims to make districts more compact while more clearly defining urban and rural areas of the state, supporters say. But House members leading the opposition to the Senate’s map say it intentionally pits conservatives who currently hold office against one another in the 2022 election and beyond.

And..

Schoenbeck said he’s still hopeful a compromise can be reached, but the decision was made to adjourn for the day after waiting hours for the House to schedule a time and place to convene a conference committee composed of three representatives and three senators.

House Republicans were caucusing in secret as of 9 p.m

Read it all here.

If the House won’t schedule a conference committee to iron out map differences, it really leaves the whole process dead in the water.

We’ll see whether today brings compromise or dysfunction. But either way, it’s all moving forward.

The DNC recently ramped up their monthly giving to the SD Dems by 25%. While it’s appreciated, it’s also laughable in light of the .5 FTE we can hire with that money as opposed to the 5 FT staff we need on the ground yesterday.

— Susan Kroger (@susanckroger) November 8, 2021

South Dakota Democrat activist and co-founder of LEAD South Dakota, Susan Kroger is on Twitter tonight lamenting last week’s election, and trying to tell people that South Dakota Democrats don’t need people coming to South Dakota to tell them how to win elections, because South Dakota Democrats “know to steer clear of issues like guns and abortion.”  (As if referring to Republicans as an “infection” wasn’t offensive enough.)

What she does say they need is MONEY –  and what money national Democrats put into the South Dakota Democrat party is “laughable.”

The best part might be that she provides a link to donate.

But instead of giving to the State Democrat Party, she suggests you give it to her allegedly ‘non-partisan’ organization.

(And of course, we have one of the leaders of the South Dakota ACLU cheering her on.)

REMINDER: Former Gov. Frank L. Farrar to be Honored at State Capitol on Tuesday

PIERRE, S.D. – Former Governor Frank L. Farrar will be honored at the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Public viewing will be allowed from 7 am to 11 am CT. A memorial ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda is scheduled for 1 pm to 2 pm.

Those wishing to pay their respects may enter the Capitol Building via the north doors (parking lot side). Those unable to attend may watch the memorial ceremony live on SDPB1 on air and cable as well as streaming on sd.net.

Access to the second-floor Rotunda will be closed at 11 am to allow time to set up for the memorial ceremony. Access will begin at 12:30 pm for that ceremony, again via the north doors. Circle Drive in front of the Capitol will close at 5 pm on Monday and remain closed to the public until after 3 pm on Tuesday.

Reverend Jason Mueller will officiate at the memorial ceremony. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson of Britton, SD will offer a welcome. Remembrances will be offered by Governor Kristi Noem and Former Governor Dennis Daugaard. The ceremony will include musical performances by Kate Wismer, vocalist, accompanied by Peggy Davidson, pianist, both of Britton, SD, and Shawn Cable, vocalist, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The ceremony will conclude with members of the South Dakota National Guard along with South Dakota Highway Patrol carrying the casket down the front steps of the Capitol. As the procession exits the Capitol, there will be a 21-gun salute and taps.

Former Governor Farrar’s funeral service has been set for Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Amacher Auditorium of Britton-Hecla High School, 759 5th Street, Britton, South Dakota 57430. Gov. Farrar will be laid to rest in Britton Cemetery following the service.

Governor Kristi Noem has requested that flags be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise through sunset until Saturday, November 13, the day of Former Gov. Farrar’s interment.

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From Twitter:

A Guns ‘n Rose ‘Cold November Rain’ vibe this A.M. outside the Statehouse in Pierre as Rapid City Rep. Taffy Howard, who is challenging Congressman Dusty Johnson, steps to microphone at the anti-Vax rally. Tough to hear much over generators for adjacent “Food Mama” food truck. pic.twitter.com/asguDitBms

— ChristopherVondracek (@ChrisVondracek) November 8, 2021

I hope nobody gets sick from standing in the rain.

The Anti-Vaccination ‘Medical Freedom’ protest is in full swing at the State Capitol, and I wonder why they needed to block off a road for this:

Some shots from the vaccine mandate ban protest outside the State Capitol this morning pic.twitter.com/BIDHNTFgwv

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) November 8, 2021

(I don’t think they’re going to get to 200 participants to get the Mexican chicken rice bowl discount from $15 to $12.)

We’ve finally reached the anointed time for the special session redrawing state legislative districts, and knowing our State Legislature, it’s any guess what is going to happen.

The Senate has been an open book through out the entire process, noting and re-noting their plans with a full explanation. The House…..   well.. maybe not so much, with House members calling me to find out if I’d heard anything. A map was finally sketched out, but it instantly took a bit of criticism.

But it’s a new day, and all the players are finally in the same building together. And that raises a big question. What are they going to manage to do today?  And along those lines, I’m hoping you’ll weigh in.

Sound off, and offer your comments below. And we’ll see what kind of legislative sausage we end up with (or don’t end up with) at the end of the day.

(Update… the darn poll software didn’t work. But I am interested in your comments about the special session)