Thune Remembers Jean Rounds

“She was an individual who carried herself with incredible grace – always kind – had a humility about her that I think people just found infectious.”

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today remembered Jean Rounds, the late former first lady of the state of South Dakota, on the Senate floor.

Thune’s remarks below:

“Mr. President, let me begin this morning by saying how sorry we were to the hear the news about the loss of former First Lady Jean Rounds of the state of South Dakota.

“Mike and Jean have been friends of ours for many, many years.

“I was involved in Senator Rounds’ first campaign for office when he ran for state Senate back in 1990 – have known Jean since I worked in the administration of late Governor George Mickelson, along with her at the Department of Transportation, and I just can’t tell you what a loss it is for the state of South Dakota.

“She was an individual who carried herself with incredible grace – always kind – had a humility about her that I think people just found infectious.

“She was very down to earth – never lost that as a first lady – conducted herself in a way that represented a great model for the state of South Dakota. Both in her character, her conduct, the style, the way in which she served as first lady is something that I think made every South Dakotan proud.

“And so today, along with all South Dakotans, Kimberley and I mourn her loss, we lift up the Rounds family in our prayers and hope and pray that through this time they’ll feel God’s grace and comfort in new and profound ways.

“But just a tremendous loss. And I know for my colleague, Mike Rounds, who has been a great partner of mine – we’ve been involved in politics together now in South Dakota for over 30 years – that he, too, is going to need our support and our prayers in the days ahead.

“This is a tough job under ordinary circumstances, but with the burden that he has been and will be carrying now and into the future, it’s going to be really important that we do everything we can do to support him and stand with him and today especially with him and his family.”

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Hospitalizations are down, but there are several more in the ICU with COVID, as well as a couple more on ventilators in comparison to last week.

Seriously, it’s still a good idea to get vaccinated.

As we approach this next weeks special legislative session South Dakota News Watch has conducted a survey of South Dakotan’s to determine their attitude on the possible impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. If you look at the results, it would not appear that South Dakota is mincing many words in their support for legislative action.

The late October poll of 500 registered voters in South Dakota showed that 66.8% of respondents strongly or somewhat support the impeachment of Ravnsborg by the Legislature, with 13.8% opposed and 19.4% undecided. Of all 500 respondents, 44.6% were strongly in favor of impeachment.

When the undecided respondents are removed, support for impeachment is even stronger, with 82.8% of those who have formed an opinion supporting impeachment.

Political party affiliation was not a major factor in difference in responses, with 72.3% of Democrats supporting impeachment; 65.6% of Independents supporting impeachment; and 64.3% of Republicans in support of impeachment.

Read the entire story here.

I may find myself in the minority on having doubts that traffic misdemeanors should rise to the level of an impeachable offense for a statewide officeholder. But it certainly appears that this may be the direction things are headed.

From the Hill: Youngkin wins Virginia governor’s race

Glenn Youngkin is projected to win Virginia’s gubernatorial contest, defeating former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and becoming the first Republican to win a statewide election in the Old Dominion since 2009.

Looking equally close in New Jersey, with the Candidates for both parties alternately taking and losing the lead as the votes come in. Much much tighter than predicted. With a possibility the Republicans could come out on top.

And Minneapolis measure to take money from police and give it to mental health & social workers went down hard after being referred to a public vote.

Not sure how tonight could’ve come out any worse for Democrats.

From Instagram Reels:

 

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A post shared by Rep. Dusty Johnson (@repdustyjohnson)

Thune: Six-Figure Cash Settlements for Illegal Immigrants are Insulting to Taxpayers

“The American people are not going to tolerate people who work hard in this country to try and take care of their families having their government pay $450,000 per person to people who come here illegally.”

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today blasted the Biden administration’s reported plan to give $450,000 settlements to migrants who illegally crossed our country’s southern border and are now suing the United States. Thune noted these payments would be six and a half times the median household income in the United States and warned that they would only encourage more migrants to make the dangerous journey to our southern border and break our country’s laws.

Gov. Noem to Hold Media Availability in Sioux Falls on Thursday

PIERRE, S.D. – On Thursday, Governor Kristi Noem will hold a media availability in Sioux Falls to highlight the partnership between the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and different entities who will use soy-based tires on their vehicles, including the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Other attendees will include Jerry Schmitz, Executive Director of South Dakota Soybean Association and the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff; Dave Iverson, Secretary of United Soybean Board; Tim Ostrem, Chairman of South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council; Carly Bishop, Government Account Fleet Manager for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; and Captain Joe Bosman from the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

The press conference will take place at 1:00 pm CT on Thursday, November 4 at the Minnehaha County Police Building – Media Room.

WHAT: Governor Noem to highlight excellent work of South Dakota Soybean

WHEN: Thursday, November 4, 2021, 1:00 pm CT

WHERE: Media Room of the Minnehaha County Police Building, 320 W. 4^th St., Sioux Falls, SD, 57104

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From Twitter…

Hyde County Sheriff Mike Volek has died, Dakota News Now confirmed Tuesday. He served for 22 years. https://t.co/bhzWgYvHbA

— Dakota News Now (@dakotanews_now) November 2, 2021

And the conspiracy theories will start in 3.. 2.. 1..

ATTORNEY GENERAL RELEASES DRAFT EXPLANATION FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE SOUTH DAKOTA CONSTITUTION

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has released the following Attorney General’s ballot draft explanation for the June 2022 primary election.

The draft amendment is entitled: A Constitutional Amendment Requiring Three-Fifths Vote for Approval of Ballot Measures Imposing Taxes or Fees or Obligating over $10 Million.

State law requires the Attorney General to draft a title and explanation for each initiated measure, initiated constitutional amendment, constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, or referred measure that may appear on an election ballot. See SDCL 12-13-9 & 12-13-25.1.

The Attorney General’s explanation is meant to be an “objective, clear, and simple summary” intended to “educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the proposed” measure, as well as identify the “legal consequences” of each measure. SDCL 12-13-9 & 12-13-25.1. Each explanation is limited to 200 words.

The public can comment on draft Attorney General explanations. Once the Attorney General has filed and posted the draft explanation, the public has 10 days to provide written comment. The Attorney General must review all accepted comments and may revise the draft explanation as deemed necessary. The final explanation from the

Attorney General must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than 20 days after filing the draft explanation.

For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.

State law may be reviewed by visiting the Legislative Research Council webpage.

To file written comments on a draft Attorney General’s explanation please use one of the following methods.  Copies of all received comments will be posted on this website.  The deadline for comments on this amendment explanation is November 12, 2021 at the close of business. The final explanation is due to the Secretary of State on November 22, 2021.

Comments may be submitted via mail, or through hand delivery, to the Attorney General’s Office at the following address:

Office of the Attorney General Ballot Comment
1302 E. Hwy. 14, Suite 1
Pierre, SD 57501

Comments that are hand delivered must be received by the close of business on the day the time

Statement on the Passing of Jean Rounds

FT. PIERRE – Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D) released the following statement remembering his wife Jean who passed away this morning after battling sarcoma cancer:

“The love of my life is with the Lord. No more treatments. No more pain. Just peace. South Dakota knew her as First Lady. We knew her as wife, daughter, mom and grandma. She was everything to us. The prayers and support we received throughout this battle were powerful and made a difference. We ask for your continued prayer as we remember her life and grieve together as a family.”

To send condolences to the Rounds family, please visit
rounds.senate.gov/Jean or send to:
P.O. Box 309
Pierre, South Dakota 57501

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