We’re down to counting the hours before the Sioux Falls Mayoral Runoff election, and there’s been a flurry of activity taking place this weekend as the campaigns try to wrap up their support and turn out their voters on May 1st.

Paul TenHaken’s campaign is quite the flurry of activity.

Friday Night, an advocacy call went out from Congresswoman Kristi Noem endorsing and supporting Paul in the Mayoral race among all of the campaign’s other activity.

Saturday was a big day, with door knocking, calls, and signs. Lots and lots of signs.  The TenHaken campaign was asking volunteers to come in between 10-4 for door knocking, etcetera.  I was in Sioux Falls, and popped in just to be nosy.  It was a constant stream of people coming in asking for TenHaken signs to put in their yard.

The campaign wasn’t recruiting these people – they were coming and asking for signs!

This morning, while the newspaper seemed to be silent with advertising from TenHaken’s opponent Jolene Loetscher (or at least it wasn’t noticeable) Paul TenHaken had a massive ad on the back of the Voices Section with businesswomen, elected officials, wives, mothers, and other community leaders who all support Paul:

While TenHaken was showing his support on Saturday, his opponent Jolene Loetscher spent her evening doing something else at the Democrat Patry’s big McGovern Dinner:

5. Mayoral candidate embraces party affiliation

In a surprise appearance, mayoral candidate Jolene Loetscher spoke to attendees and said that while her race is nonpartisan, she felt she could embrace her Democratic party affiliation since the state Republican Party has campaigned for her opponent.

Read that here.

So, the Liberal Democrat candidate for mayor is now deciding to embrace the fact that she’s a liberal Democrat? …..Because we somehow didn’t know before…?

Hang on for Tuesday!

Obstruction for the Sake of Obstruction
By Sen. John Thune

If you’re a dedicated C-SPAN viewer or can harken back to your old high school civics class, you know that in addition to voting on bills and treaties, senators have the unique responsibility of providing their advice and consent with respect to various executive and judicial branch nominations made by the president.

“Advice and consent” is a technical way of saying senators vet and then vote to confirm or reject individuals to posts within the federal government, like cabinet secretaries, certain agency leaders, and judges. It’s an exclusive role that sets the legislative branch apart from its counterparts, and it’s critically important to ensure the government operates efficiently and effectively.

Particularly when it comes to posts within his administration, the president has historically been granted a certain level of deference so he can assemble a team of advisors with whom he trusts and shares the same public policy vision. That’s not to say the Senate is a rubberstamp, though. Not everyone who is nominated automatically gets confirmed, nor should they, which is why we all take our role in vetting and confirming nominees seriously. And for me, as chairman of the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over several federal agencies, that role is only heightened.

Since President Trump took office just over one year ago, though, this process has seriously eroded. My Democrat colleagues are on a mission to slow down or outright block perfectly qualified nominees. Why? Politics, pure and simple. They’re still upset that the election ended up the way that it did. That’s democracy, though. Just because someone disagrees with the outcome of an election, it doesn’t mean they should just take their ball and go home. It’s irresponsible and shortsighted.

In President Trump’s first two years in office (which he has yet to complete, by the way), so many of his nominees have already faced unnecessary procedural roadblocks that the Senate has been forced to cast nearly 90 time-consuming votes just to keep the process moving forward. To put that into perspective, nominations made by the previous six presidents, including President Obama, faced 24 of these votes – combined – in their first two years in office. This new level of partisanship exemplifies everything the American people hate about Washington, D.C.

For example, we just confirmed Mike Pompeo to serve as secretary of state, after overcoming days of unnecessary delays. He’s as qualified as they come. First in his class at West Point. Five years of active-duty service in the Army. Harvard Law graduate. Congressman. Director of the CIA. While this is exactly the kind of person we need as our nation’s top diplomat, only a handful of Democrats broke ranks to join us.

As I mentioned, it wasn’t always like this. Former Secretaries of State John Kerry and Hillary Clinton – both Democrats, nominated by a Democrat president – were confirmed 94-3 and 94-2, respectively. Nearly unanimous. Believe me, Republicans didn’t support these nominees because we agreed with all of their policies. Instead, we saw the importance of helping the president assemble his team, which in turn helps the American people succeed

Listen, I understand that my Democrat colleagues still wish their candidate had won the election and was in the White House. But if they’re going to continue to live in the electoral past, it will be the American people, not President Trump, who suffers. We owe it to the people who elected us to look to the future and work for, not against their best interests. That means ending this obstruction for the sake of obstruction and moving on with the people’s business.

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Transparency is Critical When EPA Seeks to Implement New Rules
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Whenever any federal agency tries to implement new rules, transparency behind the rule-making process is important so the American people have an opportunity to understand their potential impact. It’s especially important at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has had a long history of creating burdensome, unnecessary regulations without giving the public an opportunity to fully vet the reasoning behind their decisions. I am pleased to see the current administration taking steps to reverse this practice.

As a large, rural, agricultural state, many of the rules the EPA issues have an impact on South Dakotans. Our farmers, ranchers and landowners, in particular, have been forced to comply with costly and time-consuming regulations that may not have been decided based on clear and sound scientific data.  We must make certain that the science behind those decisions is consistently accurate and transparent and never based on politics, which is why I introduced the HONEST Act in the Senate. This is a bill that would prohibit the EPA from proposing, finalizing or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent or reproducible.

As the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight, which has oversight over the EPA, making sure the agency is using the best available science when drafting new rules is an important part of my role. Over the past three years, the subcommittee has held oversight hearings on the science behind EPA decision-making and found that oftentimes the regulations being issued were driven not by science, but by politics. The science behind EPA decisions should be able to stand the test of time and should be open to the public for review.

I was pleased that the EPA recently announced plans to implement the HONEST Act by rule. I joined EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to sign a proposed rule that would make sure the regulatory science underlying EPA actions is fully transparent, and that the scientific information is available to the public. I appreciate this administration’s commitment to issuing rules and regulations as transparently as possible.

Sound, reliable science is vital to helping us make important policy decisions that impact not just the health of American families but their entire livelihoods. Our farmers, ranchers and job creators must be able to operate free from burdensome, unnecessary regulations so they can continue to expand and grow. Inserting new levels of transparency in the EPA rulemaking process will help make the agency more accountable to the American people and help everyone understand the impact of EPA’s decisions before they are implemented. The recent EPA directive is a significant step toward making sure these decisions are not made behind closed doors with information accessible only to those writing the regulations, but rather in the full view of those who will be affected.

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Supporting Small Business
By Rep. Kristi Noem

South Dakota has a robust small business culture. In fact, the 83,000-plus operations employ about 60 percent of our workforce, and I’m proud that for years, I was part of it. Most people know that I began farming and ranching full-time after my dad died. But over the years, we also started a hunting lodge, my mom had a restaurant I helped manage, and my husband and I ran an insurance company. It kept us all busy, but it was rewarding work that we got to do as a family. I’ll always be grateful for that.

April 29 through May 5 marks National Small Business Week. South Dakota makes it easier than most states to have small family businesses like this. Consistently, we’re ranked as a top state to do business, largely due to our favorable tax environment and limited regulatory system. I’ve fought to replicate our successful, limited-government model in the U.S. House, working closely with President Trump to cut taxes and red tape.

Last December, President Trump signed the largest overhaul of the federal tax code since Ronald Reagan was in the White House. That legislation offered small businesses a 20 percent tax deduction for the first time in history. Additionally, the death tax exemption levels are doubled and job creators will be allowed to immediately write off the cost of new equipment, leaving more money to grow their businesses, increase employee wages, and expand benefits.  As Jack Eckoff, State Director for the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, said: “Small business owners are looking forward to the benefits of a tax plan that provides a level playing field and more opportunity to keep their hard-earned dollars working in South Dakota.”

Because most business owners file as individuals, many will benefit from the lower individual rates and the doubling of the standard deduction too. This is a benefit their employees will see directly as well. In fact, the average South Dakota family of four will see a tax savings of more than $2,400 a year because of our historic tax cuts.

Outside of tax reform, I’ve also worked to delay Obamacare’s costly Health Insurance Tax, which puts a tremendous burden on South Dakota small business and often means higher premiums for their employees.

But tax policy isn’t the only area in which I’ve pushed to make the U.S. more small business friendly. Since President Trump took office, more than 1,600 unnecessary regulations have been eliminated, helping to accelerate the pace at which businesses can start and grow.

All of this has helped energize our economy. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, small businesses are the most optimistic they’ve been in more than three decades.

But more can be done. I hear about workforce concerns often as I travel the state. Many small businesses feel like they’re ready to grow, but they can’t find the workforce they need to do that. We’re working on that front too. I’ve been pushing legislation that encourages stronger partnerships between community educators and employers. The bill also gives more flexibility to state and local leaders to tailor the use of federal dollars to meet regional workforce needs.

I’m proud of the robust small business climate we have in South Dakota. Many community-based companies are successful, not only because of our tax and regulatory policies, but because many South Dakotans make it a priority to shop locally. Thank you for doing that. Your continued support of small businesses is the best way to make sure our area businesses can thrive.

The Summer Reading Challenge
A column by First Lady Linda Daugaard:

Now that it is starting to feel a little more like spring, students are looking forward to summer. The family vacations, camping trips, picnics and baseball games will soon begin and our children will get a well-deserved break from their studies.

One thing students should not take a break from, though, is reading. When I was a librarian, I came to realize just how crucial reading is to child development and learning. Children who read regularly tend to be better writers and speakers. Unfortunately, as a nation we haven’t been performing very well in reading. In 2017, only 47 percent of American students who took the ACT met the Reading Benchmark.

Knowing that nothing inspires like a little competition, I’m issuing a challenge to students across the state. I’m calling on schools to participate in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, which is a free, 18-week online reading program designed to help students turn the “summer slide” into a “summer leap.” Next school year, the Governor and I will visit the school that logs the most Scholastic summer reading minutes and present that school with the winning plaque.

The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is open to students in all 50 states. To participate, students must be registered by a teacher, public librarian or community organization leader. Once registered, students can begin logging their summer reading minutes. Students can unlock digital rewards as they complete weekly reading challenges.

Last year, for the second year in a row, Castlewood Elementary School logged the most minutes in South Dakota. I hope Castlewood will compete again this year. I also hope many other schools will join the competition and give them a run for their money!

Summer reading is very important. Whether or not they participate in the Scholastic Summer Reading challenge, Dennis and I hope students across the state will find a good book to enjoy this summer. We’re looking forward to reading some new books too!

To learn more about the reading challenge, visit scholastic.com/summer/home/.

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From his wife via Facebook:

Great Lincoln Day Dinner in Brookings County tonight!

The Jolene Loetscher campaign decided to roll over and give it’s last gasp this afternoon with a weird impromptu press conference that…  well, let’s face it. It was painful…

To be held at the downtown library, the event comes after a series of negative headlines regarding moves Loetscher has made during the final days of the campaign, in which she faces Paul TenHaken.

and…

Earlier this week the Sioux Falls Fraternal Order of Police called some of Loetscher’s campaign ads in support of precinct-based policing “misleading” while taking a formal position against that policing method. Loetscher had also filed a complaint over alleged hacking, and made public a voicemail her campaign had received from TenHaken.

Read that here.

The Argus had followed some of it on twitter..

Loetscher: I am not a victim. I am a fighter.

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) April 27, 2018

Loetscher: Sometimes when you speak truth to power, power doesnt like it.

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) April 27, 2018

Loetscher on FOP statement: They claimed i have misled people, and it was supported by “local law enforcement,” that is false and inaccurate. I only said it was backed by law enforcement, which it is across the country. I never said it was endorsed by local police.

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) April 27, 2018

Loetscher: Not many people want to take on bloggers and comments and take on people who write big checks and big corporations. For those looking for a headline, let it be “I won’t back down.”‘

— Joe Sneve (@Argus_Joe) April 27, 2018

I caught the last few minutes where Loetscher was telling the assembled media people/person “I look forward to winning. I plan on winning.”

Yeah.. A press conference 4pm on the Friday of the week before election day.  When the local media just got done utterly destroying your credibility and a few hours after the major newspaper endorsed your opponent is not the time to declare to the same media that you “plan on winning”

This was the Final Day of the Jolene Loetscher campaign as it was.

And unfortunately, it is not ending with dignity.

Update – looks like the Video is up.

Or maybe not…

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader has recognized where the race for Sioux Falls Mayor is going and has crossed the political divide to endorse Paul TenHaken to serve as the next Mayor of Sioux Falls.

Though Paul TenHaken and Jolene Loetscher are both political newcomers with an opportunity to bring fresh leadership to Sioux Falls, it was crucial to shed light on which candidate was most prepared to guide a growing city into a challenging new era, and to hit the ground running.

As the May 1 election approaches, those distinctions have been drawn. It is our conclusion that TenHaken’s experience and leadership qualities make him the best choice to succeed Mike Huether as the city’s next mayor.

The former ClickRain CEO has done an effective job of not just selling himself as a candidate but sharing a vision of what his administration might look like when the campaign bluster subsides.

and…

TenHaken has promised to bring more City Hall perspective to economic development talks, hold regular sitdown sessions with city councilors and improve partnerships with neighboring municipalities whose prospects are linked to Sioux Falls.

and..

As for Loetscher, the small business owner and former TV reporter ran a strong, polished campaign that surprised many pundits and opponents. It’s possible that she needed to come out swinging in the runoff to make up percentage points from the initial vote, but the strategy did not serve her well.

Read it all here.

The momentum continues with Team TenHaken, as they get ready to move forward to election day.

Don’t forget to get out and vote!

Governor’s Statement on the Passing of Rep. McPherson

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard offered the following statement on the passing of State Rep. Sean McPherson of Rapid City:

“Linda and I are very sorry to hear of Rep. Sean McPherson’s passing. Sean was a good legislator, but more importantly he was a good man: a husband and father, a pastor and a veteran. Linda and I were particularly honored to have Sean and Kris join us last fall in Connecticut to christen the USS South Dakota submarine. We extend our sympathies to Sean’s wife Kris, their children, and their many friends and family at this difficult time.”

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