PUC’s Nelson to testify at U.S. Senate hearing about telecommunications program

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson will testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in Washington, tomorrow, Sept. 6, 2017. Senator John Thune, chairman of the committee, invited Nelson to offer remarks about the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline Program.

The Lifeline Program provides support to telecommunications companies that offer discounts on telecommunications services to eligible low-income households. According to its 2016 annual report, the Universal Service Administrative Co. distributed an estimated $1.5 billion in Lifeline support to telecommunications companies in 2016. The USAC delivers funding for the Lifeline program under the guidance of the FCC.

Wednesday’s hearing is titled, “Persistent Risk of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in the FCC’s Lifeline Program.” Hearing participants will also address a report issued this summer by the Government Accountability Office about action needed to address risks in the Lifeline Program.

“My overarching message to the committee will be that the federal government must work closely with the states to cooperatively manage and oversee the Lifeline program in order for it to effectively reach the low-income customers who truly need assistance,” Nelson said.

Telecommunications companies must be designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier in order to participate in the Lifeline program. In most states, including South Dakota, the designation is evaluated and determined annually by the PUC. In 2016, the South Dakota PUC designated 34 telecommunications carriers as eligible to participate in the Lifeline program.

Nelson will advocate that states maintain a strong role in the eligibility designation process. “State regulator involvement provides oversight by the hands and eyes closest to where the companies operate,” Nelson stated in his written testimony.

The committee is expected to hear testimony about the national Lifeline eligibility verifier, a new plan designed to determine subscriber eligibility, conduct annual recertification and maintain an eligibility database. Nelson lauded the concept. He suggested the development and implementation of the complex plan will require organizational acuity and coordination. “It is imperative that the FCC and USAC continue to push hard to complete this task,” he said.

View a live webcast of the hearing at 10 a.m. EDT (9 a.m. CDT/8 a.m. MDT) on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at www.commerce.senate.gov.

Nelson is serving his seventh year on the PUC. He has vast experience in telecommunications issues including serving on the FCC’s Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and as past chairman of the National Association of Utility Regulator’s Committee on Telecommunications.

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We’ve moved past the summer, and into the beginnings of the fall before the election season begins in earnest. So, where does the GOP sit with statewide political races?

It’s time to revisit the tale of the tape – the semi-official chart of 2018 Republican Candidates!

Bob mercer completes his trio of interviews with candidates for Congress and has a story on Democrat Tim Bjorkman who spent time at the State fair promoting an agenda of weaker punishment for criminals, artificially raising wages, and spending a lot more money on public assistance:

Bjorkman noted that South Dakota’s prison population grew nearly 10 times larger since 1978 and 30 times faster than South Dakota’s overall population.

He said South Dakota has double the number of people in prison that North Dakota does. “We should be asking ourselves why that is,” he said.

and..

Raising South Dakota’s minimum to $11 per hour from the current $8.65 would restore the wage to where it stood 50 years ago, he said.

Bjorkman said he has “no confidence” South Dakota’s elected leaders would adapt Medicaid expansion. A majority of states have, including North Dakota.

For North Dakota, that’s $270 million more annually than South Dakota. He said South Dakota is doing “an enormous disservice” to its citizens. “It’s big time money,” he said.

Read it all here.

Aren’t most of these state level issues? I’m not sure what running for Congress has to do with any of it, unless he’s promising to federalize prisons, mandate medicaid for all, and raise the federal minimum wage.

Moving on….

In another story, reporter Bob Mercer interviewed Dusty Johnson as to his reasons for running for South Dakota’s lone Congressional seat:

Why he’s running: “This is a job interview, right? It’s fun,” Johnson said. He recalled growing up in a working-class family of seven from Pierre and Fort Pierre. “Even at a young age I figured out good jobs can make a difference for a family,” he said. “The reality is what most people want is the opportunity to earn a living.”

Johnson said “even the Republicans” in Congress don’t understand all the ways Washington, D.C., makes it harder to create jobs. “I’m not sure they understand what I’m talking about,” he said.

and…

He said South Dakota needs someone who is ready when Congress is ready to accomplish something larger. “I’ve got the political courage that’s going to be required to make tough decisions,” he said.

Johnson said a mix of selflessness and selfishness is required. “A great majority of my motivation to be in public service is selflessness,” he said.

Read it all here.

Bob Mercer, who is a stringer provides stories (per correction in comments) for several daily papers, has an interview with Secretary of State Shantel Krebs in her pursuit of the Congressional Seat being vacated by Kristi Noem against former PUC Commissioner and Daugaard Chief of Staff Dusty Johnson:

She said South Dakota voters tell her they are frustrated and want “the mess cleaned up” in Washington, D.C.

“It’s not working,” Krebs said. “I want to help him deliver results.” She added: “That’s what my logo is: Get it done.”

How she’s organized her campaign: Krebs said it’s “a lot” of evenings and weekends. Her daytime focus is the office in Pierre. “I was elected to be secretary of state,” she said.

From my mailbox:

Meet John Fitzgerald, candidate for Attorney General, on Sept 16

The Brookings County Republicans will meet Saturday, September 16th, at 9:00 AM at the County Resource Center Board Room in the Swiftel Center.

Following a short business meeting, John Fitzgerald, Lawrence County State’s Attorney, will update us on his campaign for the office of South Dakota Attorney General.

John is a 1977 graduate of Black Hills State University and a 1979 graduate from the University of South Dakota Law School. He has been a practicing attorney in South Dakota since 1980.

John was the Butte County State’s Attorney from 1981‐1995 and a Deputy State’s Attorney in Lawrence County from 1990‐1995.  In 1995 he became  the Lawrence County State’s Attorney and has been serving Lawrence County ever since.

John Fitzgerald is one of three declared candidates for the office of Attorney General.

Coffee and cookies will be served.

LINCOLN COUNTY REPUBLICAN DENIM & DIAMONDS DINNER, FRI, SEPT 15 5:30 PM

Lincoln County Republicans will have their annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on Friday, Sept 15 starting at 5:30pm at CJ Callaway’s. Lt Gov Matt Michels will be the Emcee. 

South Dakota is one of the rare states that gives voters a chance to meet and get to know their elected officials & candidates on a personal level at various events.Tickets are $50 ea, but limited and available by contacting Betty Otten @ 605-368-5716 or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lincoln-co-gop-lincoln-reagan-denim-diamonds-dinner-mc-matt-michels-tickets-36819607437.

Confirmed speakers include US Congressional candidates Shantel Krebs & Dusty Johnson; gubernatorial candidates Kristi Noem, Lora Hubbel, and Marty Jackley; Kristie Fiegen PUC; Constitutional Officer candidates Rich Sattgast, Josh Haeder, Steve Barnett, Ryan Brunner; and SD Attorney General candidates Charles McGuigan, Jason Ravnsborg, and John Fitzgerald.

Leave the suits, ties, and formal wear at home — jeans, cowboy boots, and a lot of bling are the preferred dress! 

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