From Twitter:
Sen. John Thune: "When it comes to the border, this current administration is making much, much worse what's going on down there." pic.twitter.com/rlASTAYmUj
— The Hill (@thehill) March 17, 2021
Interesting note from Ian Fury with Governor Kristi Noem’s Staff in follow up to the Rolling Stone attack article about Governor Noem.
Fury notes on Twitter today that while the reporter asked 10 questions, and Governor Noem gave 10 answers.. the reporter allegedly didn’t use any of it in his article:
Stephen asked us 10 questions. Stephen got 10 answers. Stephen included ZERO of those answers in his story. https://t.co/0stzFdmq1V
— Ian Fury (@IanTFury) March 16, 2021
Governor Noem Names Jundt Secretary of Transportation
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that Joel Jundt will continue his service to South Dakota as Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT).
“Joel has long been respected throughout the industry and has dedicated his life to promoting transportation access and opportunity in South Dakota,” said Governor Noem. “He has proven himself to be the leader who can spearhead the future of mobility here in South Dakota.”
A native of Rapid City, Jundt graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in 1985 with a degree in civil engineering. He has been a part of the DOT for his entire career, starting as a road design engineer and working his way up to be Rapid City region and operations engineer, director of planning and engineering, and deputy secretary. He began serving as interim secretary of DOT in November 2020.
“I look forward to working with Governor Noem and SDDOT employees as we strive to provide excellent services for all South Dakotans,” said Secretary Jundt. “Our DOT team is committed to build upon the great work of our past leaders and to move forward together to provide the safest, most effective, and best transportation system possible.”
Jundt lives in Pierre with his wife, Chris.
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Governor Noem Names Robling Secretary of Game, Fish and Parks
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that Kevin Robling will continue his service to South Dakota as Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
“Kevin has a great understanding of our natural resource and conservation priorities, “ said Governor Noem. “He has already done fantastic work to protect and promote South Dakota’s outdoor opportunities while balancing conservation efforts with landowners and outdoor enthusiasts. I’m pleased that he will continue to serve South Dakota as the permanent secretary of the department.”
Robling received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from South Dakota State University. He began his career with the department in 2011 when he was hired as a resource biologist in Sioux Falls and was promoted to a big game biologist in 2012 out of Rapid City. In 2017, he transitioned into a leadership role working with the GFP Commission and the state Legislature to enhance recreational opportunities and simplify regulations that have significantly reduced barriers to outdoor participation. He began serving as the Interim Secretary of GFP in December 2020.
“I am extremely honored to serve as department secretary under Governor Noem,” said Secretary Robling, “Together, team GFP will strive each and every day to enhance South Dakota’s quality of life through our great outdoors. Providing excellent customer service, creating partnerships with landowners, focusing on habitat development, expanding public access opportunities, and operating one of the best state parks systems in the country are all top priorities for me and my team. I am excited to continue my passion of sustaining South Dakota’s strong outdoor heritage for current and future generations, and I am very grateful for this incredible opportunity.”
Robling and his wife, Holly, have three young children and reside east of Pierre. In their free time as a family they hunt, fish and camp frequently and also take care of their cow-calf herd.
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Her Vote. Her Voice. is working to ensure historical collections are accessible to all
PIERRE, S.D. – In conjunction with Women’s History Month, the Her Vote. Her Voice. (HVHV) campaign is requesting support to digitize important historical documents in the State Archives of the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre.
The following collections identified for preservation will be readily available to the public via the internet for use in research, publishing projects, student history assignments, genealogy, and personal use once they’re fully funded and archiving is complete. Digitizing costs for all of the collections include an estimate of $7,500 to $23,000 to prep the collection, digitize, catalog, provide quality control, and upload to the South Dakota Digital Archives.
The South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, in partnership with HVHV, is aiming to preserve women’s history through digitizing papers, artifacts, and historical collections that focus on women’s contributions to the state. But they need additional funding to ensure that the collections are not lost and are more accessible to the public.
Pat Miller, chair of the HVHV delegation, noted the public can help preserve these documents and thousands like them for future generations.
“With the public’s help to fund the collections, they will be available to you no matter where you live for years to come,” said Miller. “All sizes of donations are extremely helpful.”
For more information go to www.hervotehervoice.org/donate
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Thune, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Law Enforcement Officers
“These kinds of attacks and violence against law enforcement officers are unacceptable and must be punished …”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined several of his colleagues in introducing the Protect and Serve Act, legislation that would create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state, or federal law enforcement officerswith violence. The legislation would support law enforcement officers by making it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, serious bodily injury to law enforcements officers. With the passage of this legislation, offenders could receive a life sentence if a death results from the offense, or if the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder.
“Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line day in and day out for the safety of communities across the country, and this last year, we’ve seen a dangerous rise in attacks against those who have chosen to wear a badge.” said Thune. “These kinds of attacks and violence against law enforcement officers are unacceptable and must be punished, which is why I am pleased to support this bill. ”
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and is co-sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
Read a one-pager of the legislation here.
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Following Johnson Request, IHS Strips Convicted Pedophile of Federal Pension
Washington, D.C. – The Indian Health Service (IHS) announced they will be stripping former Capt. (ret.) Stanley Patrick Weber of his federal pension and benefits. This announcement comes after a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Board of Inquiry completed its review of Mr. Weber, who was convicted of multiple felony charges of aggravated sexual assault of minors while he was on active duty as an officer of the U.S. Public Health Service and assigned to IHS.
In July 2020, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Greg Gianforte (R-MT) urged an expedient review of Weber’s heinous crimes and swift removal of all federal benefits. Weber’s pension was estimated to be worth more than $100,000 a year.
“It’s disturbing someone like Mr. Weber would continue to receive a federal pension after what he put so many innocent children through,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful HHS and IHS took my request seriously and revoked his pension. There’s not much solace to offer in a situation like this, but I hope everyone rests easier knowing this monster isn’t receiving a government check every month and is behind bars where he belongs. A little more justice was served today.”
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Rolling Stone just posted a story going after Governor Kristi Noem starting out with this gem:
At first, the angel of death skipped over South Dakota. This pleased the Snow Queen.
“This pleased the snow queen?” Ugh. That doesn’t exactly seem like this is a story based on unbiased journalism.
And the Governor’s Office has wasted little time in responding to a fairly sexist attack:
Folks – I’m not old enough to remember when Rolling Stone was worth reading, so it came as no surprise when Stephen Rodrick and his editors outlined all the reasons why they don’t like strong women.
Given the deafening silence on Cuomo’s sexual harassment, why wouldn’t Rolling Stone dedicate more than 7500 words attacking the only Governor in America who handled Covid appropriately? The sexist attacks on Governor Noem, either veiled or overt, are all the left has these days.
Would the same be true if Governor Noem was Gretchen Whitmer – a liberal Democrat eager to dictate to her people? Of course not. [At least the New York AG had the courage to investigate Cuomo for his nursing home policies; we can’t say the same about Whitmer and the Michigan AG.] The radical left’s press allies can’t stand by while a thoughtful, principled conservative woman runs her state well… Cue the sexist attacks.
Rolling Stone thinks it’s relevant to comment on Governor Noem’s physical appearance and choices of clothing. Here are a couple of key facts for those of you who aren’t judging her based on her gender or appearance.
South Dakota’s rise in cases coincided with the wave that hit the Midwest. It wasn’t Sturgis; it was geographical – just like every other wave that hit the country. We weren’t unique when it arrived, and it had nothing to do with the media’s beloved mitigation strategies. When are journalists going to look at the connection between a state’s 85+ population and Covid spread?
Notably, Rodrick left out that Governor Noem has overseen one of the finest vaccination rollouts nationwide. To date, 34% of South Dakotans have received at least one shot of the vaccine (the only real way to move us past this pandemic).
Mollie Hemingway outlined why the Trump puppeteer caricature is laughable. The Governor believes in federalism. It works, and other governors should try it.
And it should be noted that left out of “activist” Nick Tilsen’s story is the fact that he is facing 16 and a half years in prison because he assaulted a femaleNational Guard soldier and stole a law enforcement officer’s personal protective gear. That’s a felony – as it should be.
On Monday, Professor Blessinger explained why South Dakotans are so special. It is why my family has chosen to make South Dakota our home, and why we’re being joined by so many others. Rather than attack Governor Noem and the people of the great state of South Dakota, Rodrick – and America – would do well to learn about the policies she advanced this last year.
Empty, dishonest attacks like this grow less meaningful each time they’re made, and eventually, like the boy who cried wolf, Americans are going to learn to ignore those who make them. We can help them along by focusing on what’s true. To borrow a line from Gina Carano, they can’t cancel us if we don’t let them.
Stay well,
Maggie
Maggie Seidel
Senior Advisor & Policy Director
Office of Governor Kristi Noem
Thune Leads Colleagues in Reintroducing Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Certainty for the 340B Program
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today reintroduced legislation that would provide certaintyto hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“The 340B program has been critical to South Dakota hospitals that are relying on the certainty it provides – especially during this ongoing health crisis,” said Thune. “This commonsense and targeted measure would ensure that no hospital that is currently participating in the 340B program can lose eligibility due to a reduction in hospitalizations during the pandemic. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation as we continue to fight this health crisis.”
“This pandemic continues to cause instability in funding for Michigan hospitals and health care providers,” said Stabenow. “This bill will help lower prescription drug costs, create more certainty in funding, and ensure that those on the frontlines of this crisis have the resources they need to care for patients and save lives.”
“The 340B drug pricing program has been an important tool for Ohio’s hospitals throughout the years, providing them with the flexible resources needed to meet the ongoing needs of their communities without a penny from the federal government,” said Portman. “As the ongoing pandemic disrupts our health care system, we must ensure that programs like the 340B program can be there to support our hospitals and our communities. I’m proud to support this bill so that we can ensure that our hospitals can continue to use the program throughout and after the pandemic.”
“Our hospitals, health care workers, and the patients they serve need certainty during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and we must work together to limit disruptions to our health care system,” said Baldwin. “The 340B program has served Wisconsin well by helping to lower drug prices for hospitals and health clinics serving vulnerable communities that would otherwise not be able to afford prescription drugs. This bipartisan legislation has the support of leading Wisconsin hospitals and it has my support as well because it ensures that hospitals currently eligible for the 340B program have the certainty of being able to maintain eligibility throughout this pandemic. Let’s get this done so hospitals can continue providing lower cost health care services to those in need.”
“Our health care safety net providers are needed now more than ever during the coronavirus pandemic, and the 340B program is an essential tool for them to stretch limited resources,” said Capito. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that will go a long way in helping to ensure that bureaucratic hurdles do not put care in jeopardy.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color,” said Cardin. “Extending eligibility to the 340B program is essential for these safety net providers to continue to serve these at-risk populations, especially during this public health crisis.”
“We thank Senators Thune, Stabenow, Portman, Baldwin, Capito and Cardin for their bipartisan leadership in protecting the health care safety net and 340B hospitals,” said Maureen Testoni, president and CEO of 340B Health. “Safety-net hospitals, both rural and urban, are on the front lines of America’s response to the challenges of COVID-19, providing life-saving care and delivering new COVID vaccines into the arms of people across the country. Some 340B hospitals have had to make major changes to the way they operate, and the resulting changes in patient mix could endanger their ability to access 340B savings. This legislation is a lifeline to these providers and the patients they serve.”
“The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) applauds Senator Thune and colleagues on the reintroduction of legislation to ensure hospitals do not lose 340B eligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tim Rave,CEO of South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations. “SDAHO stands in support of efforts to protect the 340B program, which hospitals use to leverage scarce federal dollars for vulnerable patients, hospitals and in rural communities.”
The COVID-19 public health emergency resulted in many hospitals experiencing a reduction in inpatient hospital admissions of low-income Medicare and Medicaid patients, a critical metric in determining eligibility for the 340B program. Though hospitals have started resuming elective procedures, and patients have begun returning to seek care, there is concern that as a result of the pandemic slowdown, some hospitals may not meet the required inpatient admission threshold to remain in the program for the following year. This legislation would ensure that any previously participating hospital will be deemed eligible for any cost reporting period during which the public health emergency occurred.
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Thune: One Farm, Ranch, or Business Lost to the Death Tax is One Too Many
“I will continue to fight to ensure that no family farm or business has to worry about this punishing tax.”
Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, today discussed his commitment to permanently repealing the death tax, a fundamentally unfair tax that can hit a family at the worst possible time. Thune discussed the consequences of the death tax, which is inefficient, raises a small amount of revenue, and places a heavy burden on family farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.