KELOland has a story this afternoon that there has been a high price tag for the South Dakota Board of Regents buying out their 2 previous Executive Directors’ contracts:

Rush, whose departure was announced in April 2018, received six months of severance pay totaling $168,037. His last annual contract was for $378,815 and was to run through June 21, 2018. He returned to Idaho.

Beran, whose departure was announced in March 2020, received six months of severance totaling $169,125. His last annual contract was for $338,250 and was to run through June 21, 2020. He returned to Arkansas.

Read the entire story here.

Over the years, due to their autonomy, the Board of Regents have earned the regental system a nickname that they are the “4th branch of government.” Yet, it is said that South Dakota has one of the highest costs for education in the region, it seems at times that the universities are liberal social engineering laboratories run amok, and we hear of things like this.

There have been overtures by the Legislature and the Governor to improve the situation… but should there be more drastic steps?  Should the Regental system go to a single university system and/or be put under the Department of Ed?

What are your thoughts?

It’s been around two weeks or so and we still have yet to hear from Dakota Free Press author Cory Heidelberger over his permanent relocation deep in the heart of Nebraska. (In case you missed it, his wife has a nice new job).

While Cory is busy throwing barbs at Governor Noem, he still remains mum about his whole ‘leaving the state’ thing.

The Cory Countdown clock is now sitting at 20 days and counting.  Click on the image if you want to follow how many days we can expect until the state’s most liberal commentator is likely leaving the state on a permanent basis.

Looks like Governor Noem has her opponent, as we continue to see and hear evidence that South Dakota Democrat Senator Troy Heinert will be the Democrat party’s cannon fodder for Noem to grind up in the November 2022 election cycle.

The HEINERTFORSD.com domain was recently registered through Google.com according to a whois search, which goes along with what I’ve heard; that in the past couple of weeks, no less direct a source than Heinert himself has supposedly been telling people privately that he’s in.

This follows a June news report that he’ll be making a decision soon:

Heinert, an enrolled member of Rosebud Sioux Tribe, led a bipartisan dissent against the governor’s merger of the two agencies overseeing environmental regulations and agriculture, and he also introduced a resolution approved by the Senate calling for a congressional inquiry into rescinding battle honors awarded to U.S. soldiers who participated in the Wounded Knee Massacre. He told FNS he and his family are “evaluating what my next move will be.”

“We’ll be making a decision fairly soon,” added Heinert.

Former Democratic state legislator Dan Ahlers, who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Mike Rounds in 2020, told FNS he’s not decided himself on his political future but was excited by a potential Heinert candidacy.

“He’s well-spoken and has a good background,” said Ahlers. “I think he brings a moderate perspective to things, and he is also someone who could help the state mend fences and build bridges on Native issues.”

Read that here.

(Just as an aside, troyheinert.com and heinertforgovernor.com were already off the market at the time that the article was written.)

While Troy is personable enough, I suspect his views, votes, and even some of his legislation will put him squarely in the crosshairs of Governor Kristi Noem on the campaign trail.

Noem will have significant ammunition, with Heinert being among the legislature’s most staunchly pro-choice Democrats, ranked at second most pro-choice Senator in the last election only after former Senator Susan Wismer by South Dakota Right to Life, and previously receiving a 100% ranking from NARAL SD.

Heinert has also not been looked at favorably by the NRA, being graded at a 36% in 2016, 17% in 2018, and a 42% in 2020.

Heinert was also one of the three lowest-rated South Dakota state legislators in 2020 by the American Conservative Union, at 37%, based on their issues.

Had Troy had his way in 2019, I might be risking arrest by writing this article.  Why? Because outrageously he had authored a bill to criminalize speaking against politicians. He actually tried to create a new class of laws creating criminal penalties and subjecting people to arrest for speaking out against politicians.. in America.

And that’s just the start of a laundry list of issues Heinert will have to face running against Governor Noem.

Of course, he’ll have what he perceives as his own ammunition against her. But it remains to be seen if he will be able to convince a majority of South Dakotans that they should replace Governor Noem with himself.

State Senator Mary Duvall, head of the Senate Legislative Redistricting Committee, is noting today that the process of drawing the new lines for legislative districts is close to beginning, as they expect to have census data shortly:

In South Dakota, we anticipate that by the last week in August, legislative staff will be able to have the data organized and loaded into our redistricting software to begin the process of drawing maps for the state.

The Legislative Redistricting Committees will meet August 30 in Pierre to review the data and begin charting our path forward.  We will need to make decisions regarding the minimum and maximum population allowable in each district, as well as the size of the conurbation areas around Sioux Falls and Rapid City.  We are planning a series of meetings in October at various locations throughout the state to solicit public input.

Read her column here.

In the article last night from Dakota News Now, it was noted that “In recent weeks, Howard has begun to appeal to the more conservative faction of Republicans in the state” in an effort to gain traction prior to an announcement for Congress.  But it wasn’t always so. Because there once was a time where Taffy Howard was eager to express her full-throated support to what some may term “the political establishment.”

It appears that ever since Howard was elected and started serving in the State House in 2017, she has moved away from the Republicans whom Howard had previously embraced openly and publicly, and found a home alongside members of the legislature who tack as hard as they can to the right.

But don’t take my word that Taffy had previously been all-in for the political establishment.  Because you can read Howard’s own words as they appeared in print at various times in the Rapid City Journal:

and…

and..

and..

However, after her election to the State House, Howard had stopped writing gushing letters about candidates and started attacking officeholders, including Governor Daugaard, and especially Governor Kristi Noem.

Governor Noem has been a particular target for Taffy’s firebrand practices in the political arena, as Howard has taken several hits at the Governor regarding security expenses for protecting the Governor, on the transgendered athlete ban issue, which found Taffy declaring that “sometimes litigation is necessary,” over the Governor’s more measured approach, and filing an unsuccessful lawsuit to block Noem’s 2019 initiative to expand broadband internet into rural South Dakota.

Given the number of attacks and level of her rhetoric against the popular Republican Governor, one would expect that Howard would be taking Noem on in a primary for Governor.

BUT, having seen Noem’s popularity skyrocket among South Dakota Republicans and Kristi hitting the national stage, despite her constant criticism of the Governor and apparent ambition, Representative Howard knows that taking Noem on would be a losing battle, so she’s selected what she thinks is an easier target in Dusty Johnson.

However (as noted in a previous post) whether Dusty Johnson can be overcome in connection with Howard’s desire to move up the political ladder remains to be seen.

Governor Noem Meets with South Dakota National Guard Troops on the Southern Border

MCALLEN, T.X. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem heard from 48 South Dakota National Guard troops stationed on the southern border. The troops briefed the Governor on what they’ve seen and heard during their deployment.

“Our South Dakota National Guard is proving they can serve with excellence at the southern border. Border Patrol and the Texas National Guard made clear the soldiers we sent are providing critical support for this border mission,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I asked our guardsmen what their needs are and what more we can do to help. They asked for more time to complete this mission, and we are evaluating the possibility of extending their deployment.”

Governor Noem was briefed on the situation at the border by her South Dakota National Guard troops, as well as the Texas National Guard and Border Patrol. During the briefing, both Texas and South Dakota National Guard members made clear the deployment is having a positive impact addressing the crisis. The Governor surveyed three observation posts manned by South Dakota guardsmen and witnessed Border Patrol intaking migrant families at the border wall.

The troops departed for the border on a 30- to 60-day initial deployment on July 6th. Governor Noem subsequently announced that South Dakota will be sending an additional 125 members of the National Guard to the border for a 9 to 12-month deployment at the behest of the federal government. That subsequent deployment will be made later this year.

“I am grateful to these soldiers, who have volunteered for this deployment. The message I have received is clear: this deployment is working, and our Guard is committed to strengthening our border security,” Governor Noem said.

Photos of the Governor meeting with the guardsmen can be found here.

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From Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, details of the services for former State Representative David Lust are being announced:

Prominent business and civic leader, former state legislator, and loving husband and father, David Ellwood Lust, 53, of Rapid City, passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2021 from a cardiac event.

A memorial service will be held for David at 1:30 pm MST on Saturday, July 31, at The Fine Arts Theatre at The Monument in Rapid City. A private Episcopal service will be held for the family.  The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.osheimschmidt.com/obituary/david-lust 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Black Hills Area Community Foundation/David Lust Fund, PO Box 231, Rapid City, SD 57709 for the ​​David Lust Memorial Fund or at https://bit.ly/dlustmemorial

If there are technical issues with the livestream or if you wish to view the service at a later time, the service will be recorded, uploaded later on Saturday and can be viewed at any time on this webpage.

You can read, watch the memorial, or leave your condolences here.

 

According to Dakota News Now, there are continuing reports that Taffy Howard is expected to make an announcement that she is running for Congress against incumbent Congressman Dusty Johnson. Who so far has handily dispatched all comers.

In recent weeks, Howard has begun to appeal to the more conservative faction of Republicans in the state. Last week, Howard spoke at an “American First” Rally in Sioux Falls, sponsored in part by a group named “Primary John Thune in 2022.” Thune has already drawn two primary opponents, Mark Mowry and Bruce Whalen.

When reached for comment, Howard said that she was “exploring all possibilities.”

Read it all here.

So far, Dusty has had primaries in each of his elections.. and to date has utterly smoked his opponents. From Ballotpedia:

and..

In fact, not one Republican opponent has gotten more than 30% against him.  And not just that, but Johnson is literally the most popular political figure in the state right now:

But, it will be a chance to get out the popcorn, as another Quixotic figure decides to start tilting at windmills, thinking that Dusty Johnson – the candidate with the best ground game in state politics – is an easy target.

Good luck with that one.

Johnson, Schrier Unveil Plan to Repurpose $1 Trillion in COVID Funds

The SUPPORT for Mental Health Act repurposes existing COVID-19 funds for mental health resources

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced the Supporting Underserved Populations by Placing Our Resources in Trusts (SUPPORT) for Mental Health Act. The bipartisan bill would allow states to utilize remaining COVID-19 relief funds to create a trust fund dedicated to mental and behavioral health.

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), during the height of the pandemic, anxiety and depression symptoms were three to four times higher than the previous year. Nearly 13% of respondents said they have turned to substance abuse, and one in four Americans between 18 and 24 years old say they’ve considered suicide in the past month because of the pandemic.

“When states across America completely shut down for over a year, people’s lives and livelihoods were completely disrupted – an unfortunate consequence of this disruption and restrictions was many Americans’ mental health,” said Johnson. “The SUPPORT for Mental Health Act allows states and tribes flexibility to utilize previously allocated relief funds to address rising mental and behavioral health needs.”

“The last 15 months have been difficult for many Americans who have felt the economic and emotional effects of the pandemic, and with that has come an increase in people needing mental health support,” said Schrier. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation with my friend Dusty Johnson to allow COVID-19 relief funds to be used by states and tribes to meet mental and behavioral health needs. Let’s make sure help is available to meet the increased need.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the underinvestment in mental health care in our country, resulting in a substantial unmet need for mental health and substance use disorder services. Affording states and localities the flexibility to direct uncommitted COVID relief funds towards behavioral health services is a common-sense approach to help address the mental health needs of our nation.” – American Psychiatric Association CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A

The SUPPORT for Mental Health Act would utilize nearly a trillion dollars in unspent pandemic related funds. States, tribes, and localities are required to allocate COVID-19 relief funds by December 31, 2024.

Click here for a one-pager on the SUPPORT for Mental Health Act.

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