Congresswoman & GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Kristi Noem was out in the fields this weekend shooting with her family & friends on the opening day of pheasant season:
Here’s Kristi and her daughter Kennedy…
Here’s the entire contingent of the Noem Family out partaking in the opener:
Here’s Booker Noem, Bryon Noem, Kristi, & Kennedy:
And here’s a picture of Kristi with Booker:
Enjoy the Hunting season!
In Washington, There’s a Tax for Every Occasion
By Sen. John Thune
Death should not be a taxable event. Surprisingly, though, the idea that it would be such an occasion has become a political issue that can pit family-run farms and ranches against Washington’s political elite who think certain Americans, including some farm and ranch owners, should be taxed two or three times on their wealth. I simply disagree.
I don’t need to tell the hard-working farm and ranch families across South Dakota that they’re in a land-rich and cash-poor business. They know the assets on the business’ balance sheet far exceed the earnings that end up in the family checkbook. But for too many lawmakers in Washington, they just don’t seem to care.
The case against the death tax, which can hit families at the worst possible moment, is pretty straightforward. As everyone knows, an individual’s wages are taxed when they are earned. Interest, dividends, and capital gains from wages that are saved are then taxed again. When the owner of those assets passes away, the death tax can hit his or her earnings yet again – for a second or third time. It’s this extra assessment on previously taxed assets that folks, myself included, find so objectionable.
Wealth isn’t only measured by the amount of money a person has in his or her bank account. It’s also measured by non-liquid assets, like land or other property. That can spell trouble for a land-rich South Dakota family-run farm or ranch if the death-tax collector shows up at the door, particularly now, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture says cropland values have increased by 400 percent over the last 15 years. Remember, growth in land value doesn’t always translate into growth in cash from those assets.
For supporters of the death tax, their favorite talking point is that it hits a small number of family-owned businesses, farms, and ranches each year, as if that somehow justifies a confiscatory tax on a larger swath of Americans. What they conveniently fail to mention is the large expense – both in time and money – that farmers and ranchers invest during their lives to avoid being a death tax statistic. Too often, these folks have to hire costly lawyers, accountants, and estate planners, all of which can cost well over one hundred thousand dollars, to develop an effective estate plan. They can also spend tens of thousands of dollars each year in life insurance premiums – again, all just to avoid being a victim of the death tax.
Don’t take my word for it, though. A South Dakota rancher and estate planner recently wrote, “My brothers and I own an 8,000-head cattle feeding and finishing operation that will be threatened by the death tax if nothing changes … Repeal of the death tax means farmers, ranchers, and small business owners like me can stop wasting money on a tax that threatens our family’s future. That extra money can be spent more wisely in our local economy, which helps our community grow through increased jobs, wages, and purchasing.”
I get it. Many of my Democrat colleagues who support the death tax see it as an opportunity to raise revenue and spend it on other federal programs. They don’t think many farmers and ranchers pay the death tax, and for those who are fortunate enough avoid it, the tens of thousands of dollars they shell out to do so are just a mere inconvenience. In effect, they are punishing success by demanding another big tax at death. To those lawmakers, I’d say you need to meet more farmers and ranchers.
In my opinion, one family-run operation that’s forced to sell because of the death tax is one too many. Now is the time to bury the death tax once and for all, and I’ll continue my years-long fight to do so in the tax reform bill I’m working on in the Senate.
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A South Dakota Tradition
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)
We are fortunate to be home to the country’s best pheasant hunting, and opening day of pheasant season is a weekend South Dakotans look forward to all year. I’ll once again be spending opening weekend near Presho, hunting with family and friends.
One of the aspects of hunting I enjoy so much is the camaraderie. Our kids grew up learning to hunt, and all four are planning to join us in the fields this fall, along with their own families. My oldest grandson will have the opportunity to mentor hunt this year. While the grandkids are still young, they look forward to hunting season as much as we do! They enjoy helping dogs chase down birds, and afterward we all enjoy a meal together as we share stories about that day’s hunt.
I first learned about hunting when I was just 3 or 4 years old, when my dad, Grandpa Don, and the man who raised my dad, John Kauth, took me out hunting with them for the first time. However, I was introduced to the sport on the day I was born—the opening weekend of 1954. Each birthday, my dad reminds me about how I messed up his hunt that year!
Hunting is more than just a hobby for South Dakotans, it’s also a big source of income for many of our small businesses. Each year, people from all over the country visit our state to hunt in the best pheasant habitat in the nation. They stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants and enjoy all of the other things South Dakota has to offer. We’ve had a tough year in South Dakota with this summer’s drought, and there will be fewer birds out there, but I’m confident hunters will still be able to have a successful season – both South Dakotans and nonresidents alike.
Hunting plays a large role in land conservation, as well. One of the best things we can do as sportsmen and women is continue to promote the use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. It’s a good program for farmers, because it provides them with an additional source of income and it’s good for hunters because it creates excellent habitat for deer, pheasant and water fowl to nest. As we continue discussions on the upcoming farm bill, raising the number of CRP acres has been a top priority of mine.
We’re looking forward to enjoying some fresh air, hunting a few birds and making even more family memories this season, and we hope you, your loved ones and friends will do the same. We wish all South Dakotans safe, fun and successful hunts!
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Pheasant Season: A South Dakota Family Tradition
By Rep. Kristi Noem
We grew up hunting. Dad took us big-game hunting, but it was my Grandma Dorris who made bird hunting such a big part of our family heritage. Still today, it’s something that brings the family together. (And how grateful this mom is for that!)
As much as pheasant season is a family tradition for us, it was our family business for years as well. When things got tight after we were hit by the Death Tax, we looked to diversify. They say: “When you don’t know what to do, do what you know.” Well, that’s exactly what we did. We focused our attention on hunting and started up a hunting lodge.
It wasn’t always easy. I remember many nights where I’d come in from the field during harvest at 10 or 11 at night and still have dozens of birds to clean and package. I’d work through the early hours of the morning, turn around, and do it all again. It was hard work, but I loved it.
Small businesses like this are spread across South Dakota, and they come alive this time of year. Overall, outdoor activities support around 18,000 full- and part-time jobs in South Dakota, providing more than $500 million of income.
With such a significant impact on our economy and our family dynamics, I’ve always fought hard to protect the state’s pheasant habitats. In the 2014 Farm Bill, for instance, I made sure we included critical protections for our region’s native grasslands in the final legislative language. We’ve seen this “sodsaver” program work, and I’m now working to expand the idea nationwide.
Those efforts become especially important in years like this. A tough winter and a devastating drought took a big hit on our pheasant populations. It’s an issue I heard a lot about throughout the summer, but especially during a recent stop in Mobridge – a community in prime South Dakota hunting territory that was hit particularly hard by the dry conditions.
This year’s pheasant counts are about 65 percent below the 10-year average. That leaves about 1.68 pheasants per mile. Still, South Dakota Department of Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen says: “Pheasant harvest could – read could – still approach a million birds: That is, if hunters come and hunt.”
The lower counts won’t be deterring our family. In fact, our son Booker is probably more excited about bird hunting this year than he’s ever been. I can’t tell you how many crack-of-dawn mornings he’s had recently, heading out early to find Hamlin County’s best spots for duck hunting. With the pheasant season now open, I’m confident he’ll be keeping us well fed.
I love that Booker’s gotten so excited about this distinctly South Dakota sport. It’s like a little piece of my Grandma Dorris still lives on through his excitement for bird hunting.
To all of the hunters reading this, have a safe pheasant season. Hope to see you out there!
Putting New Transportation Revenue To Good Use
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:
In a rural state like South Dakota, roads are our lifeline. We depend upon the 82,000 miles of roadway in our state to get to work, school, church and the grocery store. Farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and other businesses need adequate roads in order to continue their livelihoods.
Maintaining our roads is a fundamental function of government, which is why in 2015 I signed a comprehensive road funding bill into law. Legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to pass this legislation, which generates $85 million in new annual revenue. The measure raised the gas tax by six cents per gallon, and increased the motor vehicle excise tax and license plate fees in order to fund improvements for state and local roads and bridges. I don’t like tax increases, but it’s much cheaper to maintain a good road than to repair a bad road. By investing this money now, we avoid spending even more money down the road.
I’m happy to report that the new money is being put to good use and making a difference. Since the road funding bill was enacted, the state has awarded 298 construction contracts amounting to $750 million. These projects have encompassed work on 6,078 miles of state highway and 172 bridges, many of which would not have been repaired without this new revenue.
This week state and local officials gathered in Davison County to celebrate the completion of the first local Bridge Improvement Grant project, which was made possible by the 2015 law. It was a fitting location for such a celebration as Mitchell is the hometown of former state Sen. Mike Vehle, who led the transportation funding effort two years ago. Vehle attended the event and was joined by Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, SD DOT Secretary Darin Bergquist, Davison County Commission Chair Brenda Bode and other officials. To date, 137 other local bridge projects are underway thanks to the $19 million worth of funding awarded thus far. All of these projects are expected to be complete by 2020.
An additional $9 million in Bridge Improvement Grants will be awarded in April 2018. In order to apply for a grant, counties must have a five-year transportation plan and levy a wheel tax. Counties and cities are required to provide a minimum of 20 percent financial match to the grant. Eligible bridges must serve multiple residences, farms, ranches, or a multi-lot development and be located on a fully maintained public roadway.
When President Ronald Reagan proposed a gas tax increase in 1982, he said, “The bridges and highways we fail to repair today will have to be rebuilt tomorrow at many times the cost.” President Reagan was exactly right. I’m proud we tackled this issue in 2015, instead of kicking the can down the road. Two-and-a-half years into implementation, South Dakotans can rest assured the funding is being used as intended and their money is being put to good use.
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Former State Representative Fred Deutsch gave a great presentation on the vast numbers of problems with the South Dakota Assisted Suicide Measure, which threatens to redefine the Dr – Patient relationship, as well as to allow people – not family members – to administer the Suicide treatments.
I’ll be bringing you more on this dangerous measure if it makes it on the ballot. In the meantime, if presented with it, absolutely don’t sign it!
President Trump just signed a bill from Congresswoman Kristi Noem to strengthen our security by bringing women into peace talks. For more on it…
GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Marty Jackley has posted a new commercial/video today on his announcement tour. Watch it here:
An e-mail campaign was blasted out late yesterday afternoon by the Jackley campaign at many Republicans across South Dakota making statements about Congresswoman Noem, among them that “We requested she conduct her campaign with integrity, be honest about her record and truthful in her campaign advertising…and she said NO!“
Actually, what she stated in response to a request for a Jackley-authored clean campaign pledge was…
She’s not interested in “campaign PR stunts.” Noem says she’s pledging to residents to take on tough tasks in Pierre to improve South Dakota.
That’s quite a bit different than “she said NO!” It was a rejection of the pledge, nonetheless, but one would suspect Marty would probably reject any pledge presented from Kristi. It’s just part of what we expect in the back and forth between campaigns.
And what about Gubernatorial candidate Lora Hubbel? Bob Mercer was wondering about that as well. She’s actually been hard, hard negative in the race. For example:
Coming just a month ago, Hubbel directly accused Jackley of being “a crook who belongs in prison,” which is slinging the mud as hard as you can sling. Yet, if you look at Marty’s pledge sheet….
…I don’t see a place for Lora to sign.. unless it’s on the back. He left off Terry LaFleur’s spot as well.
The truth is, that people including the Jackley campaign, aren’t preparing for the ‘also rans’ such as Lora to be anything more than a momentary nuisance. And unless another feasible candidate jumps in, it will remain that way.
Some are saying that Sen. Stace Nelson has been purposefully pushing hard on his scorecard with cherry picked issues in places such as Facebook and the Liberal Democrat blog because he’s a candidate in search of a draft movement for Governor. But absent a heretofore unknown ability for Nelson to raise money or run a statewide campaign magically appearing, that draft movement isn’t going to find him.
Barring another candidate jumping in, ultimately, the big show remains between Marty and Kristi, and between now and next June both will be moving their chess pieces around on the board.
And, as we saw when it came to the pledge this week, I doubt either has any intention of playing the other’s game.
