From KOTA News, the Preschool/Daycare owned by former State Senator Jessica Castleberry has closed in Rapid City, further cutting availability of child placements in area:
An email was sent to parents last Friday saying Little Nest Preschool is closing due to “unforeseen circumstances” but gave no other explanation for the sudden closure.
Little Nest Preschool was owned by former state Senator Jessica Castleberry, who is on a repayment plan for nearly half a million dollars in COVID-19 funds her business received. Still, she wasn’t eligible for it because she was a state legislator.
and..
With both of Little Nest’s locations shutting down, parents are now raising more concerns about the area’s growing childcare shortage.
How families can find child care and even more important – where can they live in terms of workforce housing – continue to be challenges facing the South Dakota economy as we to try to draw businesses to the state. These aren’t cans that the legislature can just keep kicking down the road.
Had this pop up in my facebook feed over the weekend:
Incoming State Senator Sue Peterson is clearing out the clutter – something I’m working on myself – and offering up some gently used toys to a new home on Facebook Marketplace. And I can’t help but notice that the several sets she’s selling on facebook might be the most organized used Lego sets I’ve ever seen. Boxes there, and everything neatly packaged together with the assembly instruction book.
I point that out, because my boys also enjoy assembling Lego sets. And here’s how that usually works out for us:
Unlike the Petersons, I’m not quite sure what lego sets are in there. I think I’ll be clearing our Legos out by the gallon.
From Twitter, incoming Majority Leader Scott Odenbach is spending his time not addressing constituent concerns, but arguing with Oscar the Grouch over what C stands for.
There’s hardly a corner of South Dakota where you won’t find a farm, ranch, or some other trace of our rich agricultural heritage – it’s the lifeblood of our state. Representing the hardworking South Dakotans who grow food and fuel and raise livestock is a responsibility I take seriously. So I value the conversations I have with producers as I travel around the state.
Unfortunately, what I’m hearing from farmers and ranchers lately is not good. Higher input costs, higher interest rates, and lower commodity prices are a dangerous combination for farms and ranches. Add to that the natural disasters and droughts that have impacted agriculture around the country, including in South Dakota, and it’s clear the situation is dire.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects net farm income will decrease 4 percent this year, after a 19 percent drop last year. Over the last two years row crop producers have lost $50 billion, and projections for next year are not any better. Behind these numbers are the individual farms and ranches and the families who run them seeing red ink and wondering if their operation can weather the worst.
Farmers and ranchers need help. I share the frustration of many producers that these issues have not yet been addressed by an updated farm bill. I’ve been pushing hard for Congress to take up a farm bill, and I will continue doing everything I can to advance a bill that helps South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers through these tough times, including strengthening the farm safety net and modernizing conservation programs to prioritize producer flexibility.
It’s common sense, but I believe that the farm bill should be focused on farms and ranches. For too long, unfortunately, Democrats in the Senate have prioritized their climate agenda and out-of-control spending rather than focusing on agriculture policy. As a result, an updated farm bill is now more than a year overdue.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, and it’s also the lifeblood of America. There’s not much in our country that doesn’t rely on farmers and ranchers in some way. For the last few years, they have faced challenge after challenge. I’m continuing to work with my colleagues to get the farm bill done and provide the support farmers and ranchers need to keep going for the next growing season and the next generation.
Leading the Way to Government Efficiency By Rep. Dusty Johnson December 6, 2024
BIG Update
This week, I was elected to continue to serve as Chairman of the Republican Main Street Caucus, which I have led since 2022. The group has worked to pass conservative solutions to cut $2 trillion in spending, reform welfare, and unlock domestic energy production.
I’m excited to lead this group during this special time in history. Main Street will work with President Trump and the Senate to secure the border, cut spending, and roll back unnecessary regulations.
There is a strong, conservative agenda to fulfill in the next few years, and I know our 80+ conservative members in the caucus are up to the task.
BIG Idea
Many Americans believe the government is too large, too slow, and spends too much money.
I joined a meeting with Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and other House Republicans to brainstorm ideas for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
I’ve long been a champion of welfare reform, which is a key focus government efficiency improvement. There are loopholes and hurdles that make our welfare system costly. Making changes to decrease waste, fraud, and abuse will help reduce government spending and target welfare benefits to the people who need it the most.
DOGE is championing the return to the office for federal employees that have been working remotely since COVID-19. The government should not waste resources on buildings that sit empty and should instead make sure our federal agencies are working as efficiently and effectively as possible. Being good stewards of taxpayer dollars should be of the utmost importance.
I look forward to hearing and implementing more ideas to make our federal government run better.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in a meeting with House Republicans
BIG News
The week started off with some pretty big, and incredibly disappointing news. President Biden issued a broad, sweeping pardon to his son, Hunter. Not only is it one of the broadest pardons given in history, but it furthers the belief among many Americans that there is a two-tiered justice system. This pardon is a terrible mistake.
A Budget for the People By: Gov. Kristi Noem December 6, 2024
Our state motto is “Under God, the People Rule.” During my time as Governor, I have always kept my budget proposals focused on our people, not government programs. Every dollar that we invest – every policy that we support – should be focused on our people, on making them safer, stronger, and freer. Our budgets should always focus on our core priorities. That is what I have done in my first six years as governor, and that is what South Dakota will continue to do.
One of the things that makes me proudest is how strong we have made South Dakota’s economy. When I first ran for governor, I saw an economy that needed to grow. Our young people were leaving the state. Our businesses weren’t thriving. And major projects weren’t moving here. But I knew we had an opportunity to turn South Dakota around. My budget proposal will continue to invest in our schools, state employees, and our healthcare providers. I am recommending a 1.25% increase for these three – this should keep us ahead of the increase in inflation. We are not going back to the days when our kids, providers, and employees are left behind.
I have prioritized education over the last six years, and we will continue to do that with this year’s budget. I am proposing that we invest $4 million to establish Education Savings Accounts for South Dakota students. This investment will pay for a portion of private school tuition or curriculum for alternative education – beginning with about $3,000 per-student. We want those students to receive the education that’s best for them and to have the Freedom to do so. My budget also invests $10 million in one-time funds over five years to create school safety grants that will support identified security upgrades and protect the next generation of South Dakotans.
In my time as Governor, I am proud of the work that we have done to support the public health of South Dakotans. Every citizen in our state should have the Freedom to live where they want and the opportunity to have good health outcomes – even if they choose a rural lifestyle. My budget accomplishes this by investing $1.2 million in our regional mental health facilities so the South Dakotans can get appropriate help closer to home. And I recommend a $1.5 million investment into Agency with Choice to provide greater care for South Dakotans utilizing our developmental disability services.
One of the core responsibilities of the government is to guarantee the safety and security of our people – to protect their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am proud of all that we have done in the last six years to improve the safety of our people. My budget accomplishes this by meeting the remaining need of $182 million to fully fund the new men’s prison. Doing this will save $600 million in taxpayer dollars over the long-run.
This budget will reflect the 136th consecutive balanced budget for our state. My budget cuts spending in wise, targeted ways to achieve balance. And I am proposing further steps to strengthen our financial systems and make sure that we are transparent with taxpayer dollars.
Our state is an example of fiscal responsibility; of limited government; of what can be accomplished when we trust in our people and respect their Freedom. And the results prove our approach is correct. I am proud of the budget that we have put together this year for the people of South Dakota.
Johnson Votes to Educate Students on the Dangers of Communism
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to pass the Crucial Communism Teaching Act to educate high school students on the dangers of communism.
“An increasing number of American youth are favoring communism and dictatorship,” said Johnson. “Communism, dictatorship, and totalitarianism are completely contrarian to America’s founding principles, values, and freedoms. These oppressive types of government are how our adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea operate. We must educate our students on the dangerous and deadly impacts of these societies to ensure our kids and grandkids can live in a free and prosperous America.”
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same. And if you and I don’t do this, then you and I may well spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it once was like in America when men were free.” – Ronald Reagan (1961).
Legislation:
The Crucial Communism Teaching Act would make educational materials available through the independent Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to help educate high school students about the dangers of communism and totalitarianism and how those systems are contrary to the founding principles of freedom and democracy in the United States.
Background:
Communism has led to the deaths of over 100 million victims worldwide and suppresses the human rights of over 1.5 billion people across the globe.
Over 500 K-12 schools across the United States have allowed the Chinese Communist Party to establish itself in their halls under the guise of Confucius Classrooms, which spread propaganda in American schools and cover up the truths of past communist regimes.
Statistics show:
28 percent of Gen Z hold a favorable opinion of the term “communism” compared to just 6 and 3 percent for Boomers and the Silent Generation;
18 percent of Gen Z thinks communism is a fairer system than capitalism and deserves consideration in America; and
19 percent of Gen Z believes that dictatorship is the best political system, compared to only three percent of the Silent Generation.
We’re back to work out in Washington following Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a great holiday filled with family, friends and delicious food. We are truly blessed to live in the greatest state in the greatest country in the world, which is one thing we can all give thanks for. I spent time this week attending meetings with South Dakotans, hearings, votes and classified briefings. I also began meeting with President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominees this week. I had productive meetings with three nominees this week where we took time to discuss the issues our country is facing, as well as priorities for the next administration. More on these meetings and everything else in my Weekly Round[s] Up:
South Dakotans I met with:Amy Bruner with Minnehaha County Moms for Liberty; and the National Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees. Their current President, Joel Foster, is from Milbank.
Cabinet nominee meetings: As many of you may know, each of the individuals President-elect Trump nominates to serve in his cabinet must be confirmed by the Senate. As such, I will be meeting with his nominees as they move through the confirmation process.
I met with Elise Stefanik this week, nominee to serve as the United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations. I am confident in her ability to be a strong advocate for policies that put America First and our adversaries last, particularly with regard to China.
I also met with former Representative Doug Collins, nominee for Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Doug shares my vision for the VA – it’s time to make the VA work for Veterans again. His nomination will come through the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Pete Hegseth, nominee for Secretary of Defense, also came to my office for a meeting this week. As someone with boots-on-the-ground experience, he would bring a refreshing perspective and a new approach to strengthening our military. I appreciated his perspective as a warrior for making the Department of Defense a more lethal force well into the future. Mr. Hegseth’s nomination will come through the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Other meetings: Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty; leaders from Talus Renewables; General C.Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the American Business Immigration Coalition board members; Sedat Önal, Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States; Dr. Harald Malmgren; Patrick Gruber, CEO of GEVO; and Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve. I also spoke at a conference hosted by Empower to speak about AI and financial services issues.
We had a half-day Senate Republican “retreat” on Tuesday where we took time to talk about priorities heading into the new Congress, including working as quickly as possible to get President-Elect Trump’s cabinet confirmed so he can have his team in place. We also had a dinner honoring the Republican members of the United States Senate who are retiring this year.
Votes taken: 13 – similar to the past few weeks since the election, all of our votes were on nominations to judicial positions. The judges we voted on this week are located in California, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, New York, New Mexico and Georgia. As we near the end of this administration and a Democrat-controlled Senate, the President and Leader Schumer are pushing through their most left-leaning, controversial nominees. As a result, I did not vote to confirm any of the seven judges that passed the Senate this week.
Hearings: I had one closed hearing in the Select Committee on Intelligence.
Classified briefings: I attended three classified briefings this week. I had one classified briefing related to my work on the Senate Armed Service Committee’s Subcommittee on Air, Land and Sea. We also had an all-members classified briefing on the Salt Typhoon hack, a successful effort by China to listen in on cell phone communications and read text messages for an extended period of time. Finally, I hosted my biweekly Cyber Education seminar, a classified session for members of the Senate and their staff to receive an update on our cybersecurity operations in the defense sector.
My staff in South Dakota visited: Belle Fourche.
Steps taken this past week: 49,295 steps or 24.78 miles.
Video of the week: I spoke with media following my meeting with Pete Hegseth:
And in their great schemes, we find that the remaining to are vastly different in their approaches to meetings and what they claim they will bring to the South Dakota Republican Party.
First, from his campaign facebook page, Jim Eschenbaum promises that he will bring uncontrolled meetings to the GOP. And that everyone knows that the Republican Party is a bunch of power-hungry elitists. (Seriously, I could not make this up):
I will honor all South Dakota Republican voters by having and maintaining regular, orderly meetings so party issues and concerns can be sorted out through civil debate and voting. It is not the job of the Chairman to control these meetings, but to facilitate them so all voices can be heard.
The image of the SDGOP is one of power-hungry elitists.
So, he promises he will have orderly meetings. …..but he will not control them? Isn’t it the Chairman’s job to lead meetings? Well, it doesn’t matter, because the GOP is a bunch “of power-hungry elitists.” Or so says the person who wants to run the state party after one year or less of being Hand County GOP Chair.
So much for being power hungry. That’s quite the opposite approach from Ezra Hays, whose latest e-mail was passed my way a little while ago:
Ezra’s latest plank in his plan will be to continuing to use phones.. And he’s going to add ….(hold on for it) TIMERS. (Someone did ask me “When he’s referring to “we” and “our” …. Who’s he talking about? Him and Roetman?” )
*sigh*
To summarize what we found out this week from the candidates who want to be the next South Dakota Republican Party Chairman :
Qualm: Hispanics and blacks are becoming more of a part.. They are Americans, and racism is caused by calling them hispanic or calling them black.
Eschenbaum: It is not the job of the Chairman to control meetings, and the SDGOP are power-hungry elitists.
Hayes: He will continue to use e-mail and phones and he will add timers.
Seriously. Please. Can someone good step in and save the party from going down this road of buffoonery?
Jennifer Hemingway will serve as Senate Sergeant at Arms and Jackie Barber will serve as Secretary of the Senate
December 5, 2024 – WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today announced that Jennifer Hemingway will serve as Senate Sergeant at Arms and Jackie Barber will serve as Secretary of the Senate in the 119th Congress.
“Jennifer and Jackie are two immensely qualified professionals who will be crucial to the Senate functioning day in and day out,” said Thune. “These are often thankless jobs, so allow me to express my gratitude on behalf of the American people for their willingness to serve the Senate and the nation.”
As the chief law enforcement officer of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms is charged with maintaining security in the Capitol and all Senate buildings, as well as protection of the members themselves. More information on the Senate Sergeant at Arms office is available here.
The Secretary of the Senate is responsible for an extensive array of offices and services essential to the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Senate. The secretary keeps the legislative records of the Senate, including minutes of proceedings, calendars of business, debates, nominations, bills, and amendments. More information on the Secretary of the Senate office is available here.
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Barber, a native of Onida, SD is a USD graduate, and received her JD from the USD School of Law in 2006.
Barber has been the staff Director for the Senate Rules and Administration Committee (July 2023-), and had previously served as chief counsel for the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, the Senate Ag subcommittee on Nutrition & Forestry, as well as Chief Counsel to the House Ag Committee.
There’s hardly a corner of South Dakota where you won’t find a farm, ranch, or some other trace of our rich agricultural heritage – it’s the lifeblood of our state. Representing the hardworking South Dakotans who grow food and fuel and raise livestock is a responsibility I take seriously. So I value the conversations I have with producers as I travel around the state.
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