Governor Noem Signs Telehealth Flexibilities into Law Also Signs SB 83
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 96 into law, which increases access to healthcare by allowing South Dakotans to utilize telehealth flexibilities.
“COVID-19 challenged us in new, unforeseen ways, and those challenges provided us an opportunity to adapt and find innovative ways to deliver healthcare in South Dakota,” saidGovernor Kristi Noem. “We greatly expanded telehealth in 2020. Going forward, we will build on these technological advancements and continue to find ways to remove government red tape in healthcare.”
SB 96 is a permanent extension of portions of both Executive Order 2020-07 and Executive Order 2020-16, which Governor Noem signed last year to increase flexibility in the state’s response to COVID-19. Pictures of the bill signing can be found here.
Governor Noem also signed SB 83 into law, which requires the provision of information regarding perinatal hospice. Pictures of that bill signing can be found here.
Governor Noem has signed 123 bills into law this legislative session.
Johnson, Spanberger Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Broadband Internet Speeds, Close Digital Divide
The Speedy Updates Act Would Require a Report on How Best to Update Speed Thresholds Used to Determine High-Speed Internet Connectivity in South Dakota
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) today introduced legislation to ensure that new broadband networks are built to provide rural internet customers with sufficient upload and download speeds.
Since 2015, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) broadband mapping data has relied on the same speed threshold to define whether an area can be said to have adequate broadband service. However, this threshold is already outdated due to new and emerging internet technologies — meaning rural residents who technically meet the current threshold could still lack the ability to connect to cutting-edge internet services.
To address this challenge, the bipartisan Speedy Updates Act would help update broadband internet speed thresholds. Specifically, the Spanberger-Johnson legislation would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct an evaluation and write a report on the efficacy of the FCC’s existing process for establishing, reviewing, and updating its speed thresholds for broadband service.
“As Congress makes record investments in broadband connectivity, we need to ensure our programs promote speeds that keep pace with today and tomorrow’s business speeds,” said Johnson. “The Speedy Updates Act will make sure the FCC prioritizes speed in rural America.”
“As we focus on making historic investments in internet connectivity, we need to ensure the infrastructure we build will reflect the growing need for faster downloads and uploads. Even in areas of Virginia with existing broadband internet access, many homes and businesses are experiencing lags in their service when using the latest apps and programs — simply because technology is rapidly advancing,” said Spanberger. “Our bipartisan legislation would review the FCC’s process for updating speed thresholds and help make future recommendations about how to keep up with these changes. With this additional information, we can make sure Central Virginia’s rural communities can both increase local internet access and take advantage of this progress for years to come.”
Thune, Rounds Join Colleagues in Calling on USDA to Assist Biofuels Industry
Senators urge USDA to make biofuels producers eligible for existing CCC funding
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and eight of their Senate colleagues this week sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the department to assist biofuel producers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter was led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
“We have been advocating for targeted relief for the biofuels industry since last spring when we were first made aware of the demand collapse for ethanol and other renewable fuels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, additional funding was added to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stabilization (CARES) Act. However, the previous administration argued that congressional intent was not clear with regard to support for biofuels and did not use its discretionary authority to assist biofuels producers through available CCC funding,” the senators wrote.
“As the Department prepares a proposal for providing assistance to the agriculture industry using CCC and other resources, we ask that you use this explicit authority to aid the nation’s biofuels industry… We have been encouraged by your recent statements at your confirmation hearing that you will fully utilize USDA resources to get biofuel producers back on track and will aid the Biden Administration in restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” the senators concluded.
“We’re grateful to Senator Grassley and all our Senate biofuels champions for their bipartisan efforts in asking USDA to provide the biofuels industry with COVID-19 relief assistance. Biofuel producers, farmers, and others throughout the biofuels supply chain have been hit hard financially over the course of the pandemic and securing much-needed financial assistance would bring relief and certainty as they look ahead to a brighter year and build back what was lost. We look forward to working with USDA on a solution,” Emily Skor, CEO, Growth Energy said.
“The U.S. ethanol industry has experienced billions of dollars in lost sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and at one point in 2020 more than half of the industry’s production capacity was shut down,” Geoff Cooper, President & CEO of Renewable Fuels Association said. “A year after the initial collapse of the fuel market, ethanol production still remains well below pre-pandemic levels. We thank Senators Grassley, Klobuchar and other biofuel supporters in the Senate for encouraging USDA to immediately utilize its authority to provide emergency relief to our industry, which has been severely harmed by this terrible pandemic.”
“Like all Americans and many other critical infrastructure industries, biodiesel and renewable diesel producers – particularly small, innovative companies – are facing unique, unanticipated challenges from the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. As Secretary Vilsack and USDA weigh how to apply relief funds, we appreciate Senator Grassley and Senator Klobuchar’s strong advocacy and ongoing attention to ensure access for U.S. biodiesel producers who need it,” Kurt Kovarik, Vice President, Federal Affairs at National Biodiesel Board said.
This letter is also signed by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.).
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Former State Senator Lynne DiSanto pled No Contest in court today to allegations of falsely reporting a crime against her ex-husband. But it sounds like the prosecution is getting a “sorry-not sorry” vibe, and thinks it might be a good idea if the self-styled life coach would take a class:
“I don’t believe Ms. DiSanto understands the gravity” of what it means to falsely accuse someone of a Class 3 felony like aggravated assault, prosecutor Adam Shiffermiller said at the change-of-plea and sentencing hearing at the Pennington County court.
and…
Shiffermiller said the class would help her understand the seriousness of her actions while “working on herself and her future relationships.” He said another option would be Moral Reconation Therapy, which helps people make better decisions through enhanced reasoning.
Governor Noem Appoints Judge to Fifth Circuit Court
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she will appoint Gregg Magera to serve as judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
“Gregg has spent his life in the pursuit of justice, first in private practice and then as a magistrate judge,” said Governor Noem. “I appreciate his willingness to serve the public and I know he will be an excellent circuit judge.”
“I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve as a Circuit Court Judge,” said Judge Magera.
Magera currently serves as a magistrate judge in the Fifth Circuit. A Yankton native, Magera earned his bachelor’s degree and his law degree from the University of South Dakota. Following service as a law clerk, he joined Siegel, Barnett & Schultz in Aberdeen in 1991, where he became a partner and practiced until his appointment as magistrate judge in 2019.
Magera enjoys tennis, hunting, fishing, and playing violin in the Aberdeen University Civic Symphony. He and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters, Katie and Emily.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Court is served by four circuit judges and one magistrate and covers Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Marshall, McPherson, Roberts, Spink, and Walworth counties. Magera will succeed Scott P. Myren, who Governor Noem appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court in January.
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed sixteen bills into law:
SB 4 revises certain provisions regarding the health professionals assistance program.
SB 10 revises the composition of the state trunk highway system.
SB 31 provides for the release of adult abuse case information to certain parties to assist in the provision of adult protective services.
SB 55 authorizes certain innovative insurance products and services through insurance innovation waivers.
SB 59 revises the allocation of fees collected by the obligation recovery center and revises certain venue, jurisdiction, and collection efforts regarding the co-owners of titled motor vehicles, motorcycles, and boats.
SB 72 revises notification requirements for listing and delisting species on the threatened and endangered species list.
SB 134 limits the required application of green building standards.
HB 1007 revises certain provisions regarding checks or bid bonds for publica improvements.
HB 1008 revises technical errors in statutory cross references relating to the Department of Executive Management.
HB 1055 authorizes certain children who are subject to a military relocation to be eligible for registration with a state-approved distance learning provider.
HB 1057 establishes resident tuition requirements for veterans and armed forces personnel and family members.
HB 1074 limits the liability regarding authorized boiler inspections.
HB 1098 authorizes the shipment of cigars to persons in this state under certain conditions.
HB 1113 revises certain reference to the International Building Code.
HB 1119 revises certain references to secondary elections.
HB 1125 defines adjournment for the counting of ballots.
Governor Noem has signed 121 bills into law this legislative session.
Senator John Thune was recently on Fox News’ “Your World With Neil Cavuto,” and you can’t help but to give him a “hell yeah” for his earlier comments about the election:
“It’s a free country, Neil, and he’s an individual that has a big following out there, obviously, politically, and continues to be a major force in the politics of our country. But, you know, I will do what I have to do in South Dakota. If getting primaried is the price for standing up, and speaking the truth, and standing up for the rule of law and the Constitution, then so be it,” Thune responded.
He went on to say the “main thing” going into the 2022 midterm elections is that Trump and Republicans in Congress “are going to be united” in working to win majorities in the House and Senate. He added that, in his view, the country is “heading into a left ditch” because “the Democratic Party is controlled by the Bernie Sanders wing of the party.”
It’s interesting because there had been this cabal of people who read too many facebook memes clucking about Thune accepting the results of the election as somehow being wrong.
Guess what? The cluckers are even more unorganized, still reading facebook memes, while Senator Thune is getting ready for the next election.
Could a primary happen? Sure. It could in the best of times.
But Thune stands strong, the entire delegation including Governor Noem stands behind him, and nothing is going to change that.
The South Dakota website Woki-leaks dropped some notes from a transcript from a December 10, 2020 Zoom meeting to discuss the University of South Dakota’s search for a new Associate VP of Diversity… A zoom meeting that USD appears to have taken off-line.
Why would it not be on-line any more? Well, at least according to what SD Woki-leaks notes as the transcript of the “Comments from the Zoom Call” – they claim that it appears USD professor Clayton Lehmann had some fairly pointed opinions about legislators.
00:44:16 Clayton Lehmann again. The problem of the conservative character of the legislature is not merely lack of understanding, which can be addressed by education and explanation, but active resistance to the desirability of diversity and some very active legislators who follow an evil agenda of advancing their racism and bigotry by shaping state law–here we need someone who can go beyond explanation to identifying and calling out evil.
I’m sure that will go over well. (Especially with you evil, racist and bigoted Legislators who will be voting on the appropriations bill this next week.)
As opposed to my COVID update from last week, I think I’ll manage to get through the weekend without a trip to the emergency room for some messed up COVID thing. I think people are thinking I’m more infirm than I actually am, as I had someone send me a get-well card this week (thanks MC). Okay… I do appreciate it, but I’m on the mend.
Being on the mend, I thought I’d give an update, and keep the COVID briefings going as part as a firsthand account of what I’m experiencing, and why wearing a mask/getting your COVID vaccination is a good voluntary idea to avoid what I’ve been going through, as some of these symptoms are just kind of messed up.
So, right after last week’s adventure in COVID messing up my blood clotting factors, leaving me as a compression sock consumer and being put on a blood thinner, I was treated to a term on the morning news that I’d heard earlier when I was in 2 weeks ago getting something for a lingering cough/chest irritation, when the CNA remarked to me that they want to avoid patients becoming “long haulers.”
What’s a long hauler? Well. When it comes to COVID, that’s a term you should pay significant attention to, as it’s a term they use for some of the lingering symptoms that people who had COVID are finding they’re left with:
About 33% of COVID-19 patients who were never sick enough to require hospitalization continue to complain months later of symptoms like fatigue, loss of smell or taste and “brain fog,” University of Washington (UW) researchers found.
“We were surprised to have one-third of people with mild illness still experiencing symptoms,” said lead researcher Jennifer Logue. She’s a research scientist with the UW department of medicine’s division of allergy and infectious diseases, in Seattle. “If you contract coronavirus, there’s a good chance you could experience a lingering effect.”
And…
“Because it has a direct effect on the nerves of our nose, we think that likely there is an effect on brain structure. We know that definitively there are changes in our lungs that occur from it,” Gut said of COVID-19. “It has far-reaching implications we’re just now beginning to understand since we’re just starting to categorize the syndrome.”
I had been given the monocyte treatment to prevent having to be in the hospital, but even with that experimental treatment, there are definitely some aftereffects. Luckily, I’m not suffering from a brain fog, and every day is pretty darned good, minding that I don’t overdo it, and get a good night’s sleep. Also pushing liquids, and working on deep breathing, per the doc’s office.
The prospect of symptoms such as fatigue lingering for months underscores that this is not last year’s flu season, so paying it some heed is probably in your best interest.
And I have to admit that I am experiencing some lingering… weirdness.
I seem to be a bit dehydrated, which might be because of some of the minor meds I’m on. But then there’s the other thing. In particular, my sense of taste. I have never been a big sweets person. Just never has been my thing. And that’s probably good, because in the last week or so, I’m discovering that my sense of taste when it comes to “sweet” is largely gone.
I began noticing it with Diet Coke the other day, where when I have a I DC out of the bottle, I don’t get a taste of sweet. I taste the bitter aftertaste of the artificial sweetener and the “water”, but not any “sweet” of the sweetener. If I try a strong sugar sweet.. like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, I can pick up the sweet somewhat. But I’m honestly not sure. And it’s honestly a little disconcerting to lose a swath of what gives things taste.
And speaking of taste.. when it comes to peanut butter, since I’ve gone through COVID, I’ve got an almost insatiable craving for it, mainly in the form of spicy asian peanut sauce. I suppose it’s because it has a savory/salty versus sweet profile, so my brain registers that I’m actually getting what I’m eating. So, think asian wraps with chicken/turkey, cilantro, lettuce, jalapeño slivers and peanut sauce more often than a person would normally have.
I’m guessing/hoping normal taste comes back in short order. Or at least my craving for peanut butter abates slightly.
And unless you’re big into peanut sauce, or other weirdness being introduced into your palate, it might be worth getting down and getting your COVID vaccination as soon as you qualify.
statements at your confirmation hearing that you will fully utilize USDA resources to get biofuel producers back on track and will aid the Biden Administration in restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” the senators concluded.
First, 
