Wow. Check out House Bill 1097 that was just filed, as primed by Representative Tom Pischke and also sponsored by Representative Phil Jensen which provides for additional exemptions for statutorily required childhood vaccinations:

The measure changes the existing law from providing an exemption for “a religious doctrine whose teachings are opposed” to a far, far more permissive “because of a sincerely held religious or philosophical belief.”

Philosophical beliefs?

Well, yes. That could include a long-held religious doctrinal belief. Unfortunately, that could also include a philosophical belief as in ‘I read it on Facebook.’

It’s a bit shocking that during a time where the legislature is in the middle of cleaning up a society-wide mess that a pair of anti-vaxxer legislators would want to allow people to bring back more pandemics because of nutty facebook drivel. (And yes, before you ask, Pischke and Jensen were sponsors of last year’s anti-vaxxer measure HB 1035 which cost 5 people legislative seats.)

Another measure that will likely – and should – go down like rubella when faced with a properly vaccinated child.

Governor Noem Introduces Legislation to Enhance Law Enforcement Training Requirements

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem introduced legislation to enhance training requirements for law enforcement officers in South Dakota.

“Law enforcement does incredible work each and every day to keep us safe,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “In South Dakota, we trust and respect the men and women who put their lives on the line every day. Our objective is to protect and reaffirm this mutual trust, and we believe this enhanced training requirement will help achieve that goal.”

Governor Noem’s legislation would require law enforcement officers to attend response to resistance training. Officers will be required to retake this training at least once every two years.

Additionally, Governor Noem voiced support for legislation to add two South Dakotans without a law enforcement background to the Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission to enhance the Commission’s oversight and strengthen transparency.

“By giving civilians a voice on the Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission, we can strengthen mutual trust between law enforcement officers and the general public,” continuedGovernor Noem.

The Governor also applauds the Commission’s recent efforts to review its rules to build more accountability into the law enforcement certification process.

###

Apparently Sioux Falls City Councilor Patrick Starr has some pretty pointed opinions about people who run a business and have part time employees. A few days back in a business related facebook group, a business owner was expressing her concern about a $15/hr min wage increase and how it could affect her business.

And as it was related, Starr went full “Bernie bro” on her, and offered his opinion:

 

“If you can’t pay $15 for part time work you have a bad business model” and “you have to run a business not a hobby.”

I’m not sure what Starr does for a living, but it doesn’t seem like he’s ever ran a business where he has to pay a wage to employees. Calling someone out for being concerned about their labor costs, and blasting them as needing to “run a business and not a hobby” is just beyond the pale.

Rounds: Impeachment Trial of Former President is Unconstitutional

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined 44 of his Senate colleagues in declaring the impeachment trial of Donald Trump unconstitutional on the grounds that he is a private citizen no longer in office.

“The Constitution is clear that holding an impeachment trial of a former president, former official, or – more specifically – a private citizen, is unconstitutional and that the Senate should not go down this path. Donald Trump is no longer in office and is now a private citizen. Impeachment is intended to be the legislative branch’s check on the executive and judicial branches of government- not a check on our constituency.

“Our Founding Fathers did not intend to put private citizens on trial in the Senate. Why, then, would we hold an impeachment trial of which the immediate consequence upon conviction – removal from office – is something that has already happened? Removal from office implies that the subject to be impeached must be in office. It doesn’t make sense.”

Article 2, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution states: “The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for and Conviction of Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”  Donald Trump is neither the President, Vice President, nor is he a civil officer of the United States.

###

Thune Questions Secretary of Commerce Nominee Gov. Gina Raimondo

“It is vitally important that we close the digital divide in states like South Dakota and across America.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today questioned Secretary of Commerce nominee Gov. Gina Raimondo (D-R.I.). Thune pressed her on her outlook concerning broadband availability for rural America, spectrum management, and her stance on the incorporation of innovative approaches to weather forecasting from outside stakeholders to benefit farmers and ranchers across the country.

###

Rounds Supports Legislation to Establish Election Integrity Commission 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to introduce legislation establishing the 2020 Bipartisan Advisory Committee to examine the integrity of the November election and make recommendations to State legislatures to improve the security, integrity and administration of federal elections.

“Our system of government is based on free and fair elections, run by individual states,” said Rounds. “I remain confident in the security of South Dakota’s election system. Still, the fact remains that many Americans are concerned about the integrity of other states’ election processes. A bipartisan commission will allow us to examine the 2020 election and restore Americans’ faith in our federal election process.”

Background

The 2020 Bipartisan Advisory Committee will be composed of 18 members; 9 appointed by the Republican Senate leader in consultation with the House minority leader and 9 appointed by the Speaker of the House in consultation with the Democrat Senate leader.

• The Committee will study:
  • the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on the election;
  • the election practices adopted in response to the COVID–19 pandemic;
  • practices regarding mail-in ballots, absentee ballots, and vote-by-mail procedures;
  • practices that would have allowed improper or fraudulent voter registration or votes;
  • the scope of any improper or fraudulent voter registration or votes;
  • and practices that would bolster public confidence in the integrity of future general elections.
• The Advisory Committee will submit two reports:
  • The initial report will include precinct-by-precinct data highlighting the number and incidence of any improper and fraudulent voter registrations and improper and fraudulent votes that were cast in the election.
  • The final report will include recommendations on best practices that each level of local and State Government should adopt for:
    • administering elections for federal office during a pandemic and other national emergencies;
    • mitigating fraud and increasing the integrity and security of mail-in ballots, absentee ballots, and vote-by-mail procedures; and
    • preventing improper or fraudulent votes from being cast and stop improper voters from being registered

###

Johnson Receives Coveted Committee Assignment

Washington, D.C. – In advance of this year’s reauthorization of the five-year highway bill, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) has been appointed to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

“The surface transportation bill will be among the most important pieces of legislation Congress will tackle this year,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful my colleagues have provided me an opportunity to play a lead role in developing that bill, ensuring rural priorities aren’t forgotten.”

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee also has jurisdiction over other issues important to South Dakota, including railroads, aviation, pipelines, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition to the transportation assignment, Johnson will continue to serve on the House Agriculture Committee.

###

Thune: The Legislative Filibuster Must Remain

“No matter how appealing it might be in the moment, destroying this long-standing protection for minority rights would be a grave error that both parties would live to regret.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the legislative filibuster, the feature of the Senate that requires 60 senators to agree before the Senate can end debate and vote on a bill, ensuring that the minority party is represented in legislation. Thune expressed his hope that all Senate Democrats will recommit themselves to preserving this fundamental feature of the Senate.