The “Sparrow” map currently being used for legislative redistricting negotiations is now out there and available for review:

This is definitely worth checking out, as this configuration seems to be the closest we’ve had to agreement between the House and the Senate.

I’ll dig into it further once (and if) we have approval, as once the lines are officially approved by both chambers is when the work begins.

Joe Kippley Announces Candidacy for Minnehaha County Commission

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Joe Kippley has filed to be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the Minnehaha County Commission. Kippley was born and raised in Brookings, SD. He has lived in Sioux Falls since 2016 and works at Sanford Health as an administrator within the Imagenetics program. Kippley is married to his wife, Amanda, and they have two children, Grace (3) and Rose (2).

Kippley’s campaign is pursuing one of three spots in the at-large Minnehaha County Republican Primary in June 2022. His campaign chair is former Minnehaha County Commissioner and former State Senator Tom Dempster. “Since Joe served as a legislative intern for the Republican Party in 2007, I have been impressed with his character, his work ethic, and his intelligence. I am happy he is answering the call to public service.” Dempster said.

Kippley’s campaign is focused on what a new generation of leadership can do to begin the work of Building for Tomorrow. This work requires a focus on key priorities such as:

• Building Community – Kippley believes that we must address the need for affordable housing, continue strong economic growth, and retain the character of our smaller communities as Minnehaha County uniquely provides the benefits of rural, suburban, and urban life in South Dakota.
• Building Trust – Through quality public service, Kippley believes we can restore faith in the key institutions that make our civic life so rich in our communities.
• Building Security – Kippley will make public safety and support for our law enforcement and judicial system a top priority.

“I look forward to the opportunity to meet and talk with many of my neighbors throughout the county. I am thankful for the support I have received thus far. It would be an honor to serve on the Minnehaha County Commission and help our county live up to its potential as we continue Building for Tomorrow,” Kippley said.

Please visit www.joekippley.com for more information.

During the Second Special Session of the week, there was an interesting vote from conservative corners of the State House against moving forward with the impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg:

HR 7001 – Establishing a select committee to investigate whether articles of impeachment should issue against Jason Ravnsborg, Attorney General of the State of South Dakota, and draft any resulting articles.

The question being “Shall HR 7001 pass as amended?”
And the roll being called:

Yeas 58, Nays 10, Excused 2, Absent 0

Yeas:

Anderson, Aylward, Bartels, Barthel, Beal, Blare, Bordeaux, Chaffee, Chase, Cwach, Davis, Dennert, Derby, Deutsch, Drury, Duba, Finck, Fitzgerald, Goodwin, Lana Greenfield, Hansen, Healy, Hoffman, Jamison, Kevin Jensen, Chris Johnson, Keintz, Koth, Ladner, Lesmeister, May, Milstead, Miskimins, Mortenson, Mulally, Olson, Ernie Otten, Perry, Kent Peterson, Pischke, Randolph, Reed, Rehfeldt, Reimer, Schneider, Jamie Smith, St. John, Stevens, Thomason, Tidemann, Vasgaard, Weis, Weisgram, Wiese, Willadsen, Wink, York, and Speaker Gosch

Nays:

Gross, Haugaard, Howard, Phil Jensen, Karr, Marty, Mills, Odenbach, Overweg, and Soye

Excused:

Sue Peterson and Pourier

Read that here.

There were 10 “NAY” votes, mainly from strongly conservative quarters, with three of them Attorneys, and one outsider Congressional challenger in Taffy Howard.

What brought those Legislators to vote no on establishing a committee to review whether impeachment is warranted? A recent newspaper column from State Rep. Steve Haugaard in the Brandon Newspaper may shed some light on it:

What seems to be missing in all of this is any indication that there was any action on the part of the Attorney General that rises to the level of maliciousness, recklessness or even carelessness. That is why the ‘careless’ charge was dismissed in an effort to resolve the case. Anyone who has operated a motor vehicle knows that there are very brief moments when our eyes are not focused on the road ahead or something suddenly comes at us from the side, and that is apparently what happened that tragic night. If that happened to anyone else it would be found as tragic and the matter would be at an end.

Certainly, we should hold our elected leaders to a higher standard, but should one be forced to resign based upon an absolute accident? No one can seriously believe that the Attorney General sought to cause a death, or now, based upon the evidence, that the Attorney General was ‘reckless’ or even ‘careless?’ After an exhaustive review of the actual evidence, the State’s Attorney could not find ‘reckless’ behavior and willingly dismissed the ‘careless’ charge apparently due to the fact that the evidence would not ultimately be found sufficient.

When anyone reviews the work of AG Ravnsborg since his election, and especially since last September, it will be apparent that he has done an excellent job overseeing the Attorney General’s office and that he has continued to do his job, serve the state, accomplish victories for the State and developed relationships with the tribes that create a pathway for ongoing success.

Read the entire column here.

Rep. Haugaard seems to tip his hand in the article, and gives the impression that he will be one of the chief forces arguing against impeachment of the Attorney General.

With popular opinion for impeachment inflamed by media coverage versus the minimal traffic violations the AG pled ‘No Contest’ to, it is interesting to see the degree of pushback on impeachment as well as where it’s originating from.

It was paused after House Republican Leader Kent Peterson had a medical incident and was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. House Speaker believes Peterson will be back in the morning.

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) November 10, 2021

Please keep the majority leader in your prayers tonight. Kent is a good guy.

While I’m not finding it online, Joe Sneve of the Argus seems to have gotten ahold of a copy of the latest redistricting map..

Here’s the new compromise map that will be considered tonight. House republicans will caucus in about an hour before any formal action can be taken. pic.twitter.com/yVbCUTJGHx

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) November 9, 2021

Reporters present in Pierre are noting that a deal may be struck which would means they would complete redistricting today, and not send it to the State Supreme Court.

I’m being told that a contingent of senators and representatives from northeast SD are working on a compromise redistricting map behind the scenes and are nearing agreement. Those negotiations are why House State Affairs hasn’t yet reconvened yet.

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) November 9, 2021

State lawmakers from northeastern SD are close to a deal that would push redistricting across the finish line. Would split Brown County into three districts.

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) November 9, 2021

Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Maybe Republicans can get along with each other.

South Dakotans Decide Healthcare Filed to Put Medicaid Expansion to South Dakota Voters

South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, a broad coalition of patient advocates, nurses, healthcare providers, farmers, faith leaders,  educators and more, filed paperwork with the Secretary of State yesterday morning to place Medicaid Expansion on the November 2022 ballot and let the voters of South Dakota decide the issue.

Following the filing there was a conference call with supporters which can be viewed here. Medicaid Expansion supporters discussed how expansion will benefit South Dakota and benefit South Dakotans.

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.