Looking for a prime example of FAKE NEWS? Look no farther than the Argus Leader.  They just posted a video online with a ridiculous claim that South Dakota Democrats “had a harder time winning in 2016 because of partisan gerrymandered districts.”

Wow.

That’s fake news if I ever heard it, and seems to be in the realm of what we’d call journalistic malpractice.

I’d call it an embarrassingly shallow analysis.. but that would assume that someone bothered to actually analyze something.    It seems that someone created a bullsh*t headline, and now there will be a story framed to try to support it.

Unfortunately, the premise is utterly indefensible.

If you look at South Dakota’s political environment, starting out, Democrats in 2016 were already at near historic lows in offices (by doing many of the same things they’ve done for several cycles)

First and foremost, DEMOCRATS FAILED TO FIELD CANDIDATES!  It’s a proven fact that if you don’t run candidates for an office, you will not win that race. In fact, just in the State Senate, before the first vote was counted, Democrats conceded 1/4-1/3 of races by not running anyone.

And later in the cycle, for those candidates who remained to contest Republicans, Democrat state party finances did not provide the basis to support candidates in any significant way.  Instead, Democrats invested their time and efforts into ballot measures instead of political races.

That is, for the money they did spend. A series of post-election meetings across the state noted that Democrats ended the campaign sitting on $100,000 that was unspent during this time of record losses.

Add to that they’ve consistently run weak candidates at the top of the ticket for several cycles. When you have candidates an unlikable as Hillary Clinton at the top of the ticket followed by a candidate as inept as Jay Williams, who spent NO money, had no organization, and told everyone he wanted to raise taxes, it’s not much of a choice.

Hmm… people I don’t like, who say they’ll raise my taxes, or the other guys?  Let me think…

In South Dakota, our redistricting abilities are pretty limited, given that it part of the rules requires that geographic and natural boundaries be followed. As noted in the constitution:

§ 5.   Legislative reapportionment. The Legislature shall apportion its membership by dividing the state into as many single-member, legislative districts as there are state senators. House districts shall be established wholly within senatorial districts and shall be either single-member or dual-member districts as the Legislature shall determine. Legislative districts shall consist of compact, contiguous territory and shall have population as nearly equal as is practicable, based on the last preceding federal census.

Read that here.

I’ve been around for three of these now, and I can tell you there’s not a lot of ways to slice it up and follow those rules.

In fact, for two of them, Democrats picked up seats after the redistricting, and then slowly lost them. At the time of the last redistricting, Democrats were beginning their party’s slide into their current state of disorganization, and wasn’t able to capitalize on people not knowing their current representatives and senators as they had before.

Democrats being at a disadvantage has utterly nothing to do with redistricting. In this case, it’s on them, period.

No matter how hard the those in the media try to manufacture a fairy tale. Because the truth is far simpler.

From the Rounds Report:

Administration Moves to Rescind Overreaching “Waters of the U.S.” Rule
June 27, 2017

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today took steps to officially rescind the misguided Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. As finalized by the Obama administration, the WOTUS rule would have been one of the largest federal land grabs in our country’s history, giving the Army Corps and EPA control of nearly all water, including farm ponds and drainage ditches. It would have caused farmers, ranchers and landowners to spend hours filling out paperwork just to procure permits to conduct normal agricultural activities or spray for weeds along country roads. I’m glad to hear the Trump administration took this important step to undo this unnecessary, misguided overreach.

I encourage South Dakotans to submit public comments as the current EPA and the Army Corps work to rewrite this rule to make it better for farmers, ranchers and landowners. To learn more about the revised proposal and offer your thoughts, click HERE.

Trump Administration Right to Propose Repeal of Obama-era WOTUS Rules, says Noem

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today applauded the Trump administration for formally proposing a withdrawal of the controversial Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

“Under the Obama-era WOTUS rules, treating your lawn for mosquitos, putting up a fence in your backyard, or spraying your crops could become federally regulated activities that carry substantial fines if violations occur – knowingly or unknowingly. The Trump administration is right to propose a repeal,” said Noem.

As finalized by the Obama administration, the WOTUS rule could greatly expand the federal government’s control over small and seasonal bodies of water throughout South Dakota and the country.  Estimates show that if a landowner falls out of compliance, penalties could cost more than $30,000 per violation, per day.

In May 2015, Noem helped the U.S. House of Representatives pass the bipartisan H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015, which would send the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers back to the drawing board on the WOTUS rule.  Months later, a federal appellate court temporarily suspended the nationwide implementation of the WOTUS rule, a suspension that holds today.

In January 2016, Noem joined the House in passing legislation disapproving the rule.  President Obama later vetoed the bill.

In February 2017, Noem joined more than 35 Members of Congress in a letter to President Trump, urging the administration to take action to repeal WOTUS.

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Thune Statement on Trump Administration Proposal to Withdraw Obama-Era WOTUS Rule

“I’m glad EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his agency listened to the concerns of rural America and are taking steps to repeal this burdensome rule”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for initiating a formal process to withdraw the highly controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The EPA and the Corps now begin a replacement rulemaking process that will gather input and re-evaluate the definition of WOTUS.

“WOTUS was just another example of Obama-era government overreach, which placed unnecessary burdens on South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers,” said Thune. “I’m glad EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his agency listened to the concerns of rural America and are taking steps to repeal this burdensome rule.”

WOTUS was developed by the Obama Administration’s EPA and the Corps. It greatly expanded the EPA’s federal jurisdiction and scope of waterbodies that are subject to Clean Water Act requirements. It also targeted the Prairie Pothole Region, which includes nearly all of eastern South Dakota, with additional harmful restrictions.

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Attorney General Jackley Statement on EPA Rescinding Waters of the U.S. Rule

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today the Environmental Protection Agency, under Administrator Scott Pruitt and Corps of Engineers, under Douglas Lamont, have withdrawn the Obama-era regulation that asserts federal authority over state waters.

“It was always my concern that both the EPA and the Corps exceeded their authority granted by Congress. Today, the EPA and the Corps took a step forward in the process of restoring the control back to the States. I look forward to their final action to withdraw the WOTUS Rule and provide relief to the States,” said Jackley.

The proposed withdrawal of the WOTUS rule will be published in the Federal Register and the EPA will receive comments, after which point the withdrawal could be finalized. It is expected that the EPA, with input from the States, will then propose a new regulation to more clearly define its limited jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.

The States actively sought postponement of the impending implementation of the WOTUS Rule while the courts could fully address the states’ concerns. On June 29, 2015, thirteen states filed in federal district court in North Dakota asking the court to vacate the new rule and bar the EPA and the Corps from enforcing the new definition. Several other states filed in their respective regions. The states contended the new definition of WOTUS violated provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the United States Constitution. On July 30, 2015, 31 states requested that the EPA and CORPS delay the effective date of the new Rule defining “Waters of the United States” under the CWA.

On August 27, 2015, the Federal Court issued a preliminary injunction to delay the Rules implementation until the Court has an opportunity to fully review the administrative record. The Court found that it was likely that the federal government violated its grant of authority when it promulgated the Rule and likely failed to comply with the requirements in the Administrative Procedures Act. Finally, the Court found the risk of harm to the States is great.

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Americans for Prosperity – South Dakota
Announces New Dream Team Heading Up State Chapter

Speaker Pro Tem and Noem Area Director will lead South Dakota Chapter.

PIERRE – Americans for Prosperity – South Dakota (AFP-SD), the state’s leading grassroots advocate, today announced two key hires to lead its state chapter.

Don Haggar will serve South Dakota in a new capacity as the state director for AFP-SD. Haggar was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2012 after a successful career in the insurance and real estate industries; he served in leadership as Speaker Pro Tem, a position second only to Speaker of the House.

Haggar stepped down from the legislature to take the reins of AFP-SD after Ben Lee was promoted to AFP Regional Director. Haggar expressed his elation at joining AFP and believes he can have an even bigger policy impact with the grassroots organization: “This organization fights for the principles and ideals I hold dear, and has a history of getting results, not just in South Dakota, but across the country. Our state is under attack by those who wish to strip us of our rights, expand government, and stifle free speech. With the power of AFP’s grassroots network, I’ll be able to best serve our state promoting limited government, lower taxes, and personal freedom.”

Additionally, AFP-SD is equally excited that Andrew Curley will be joining the group as the Deputy Director. Curley worked with Rep. Kristi Noem, serving as the congresswoman’s Southeast Area Director in her congressional office. “Opportunities like this don’t come along often. I’m excited to join AFP and I look forward to working alongside the volunteers and activists to advance the cause of economic freedom in the state,” said Curley.

“We really created the dream team to serve South Dakota. Our state chapter is in good hands and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of our volunteer network,” said Lee.

Rep. Haggar Resigns; Governor Invites Public Input

PIERRE, S.D. – State Rep. Don Haggar has resigned his seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives. Haggar, a Sioux Falls Republican, has served in the state House since 2013, and is currently the body’s speaker pro tempore.

“Don Haggar has worked hard on behalf of his constituents and our state, and I am sorry to see him leave the Legislature,” said Gov. Daugaard. “I wish him well in the future.”

Haggar’s resignation, which is effective immediately, creates a vacancy that will be filled by gubernatorial appointment. The Governor is asking the public to nominate candidates to fill the position.

Those wishing to be considered for the appointment, or to offer nominations, should contact Grace Beck or Rachel Graves in the Office of the Governor at 605-773-3661. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current address, telephone number and relevant background information.

Haggar represents District 10, which includes an area of Minnehaha County encompassing the cities of Brandon, Corson and Renner. The district also includes an area in northeastern Sioux Falls encompassing Washington High School, Laura B. Anderson Elementary School, the South Dakota School for the Deaf and Willow Run Golf Course. A map of the district is available on the LRC website at http://sdlegislature.gov/img/Legislative_Districts/10.pdf.

Gov. Daugaard expects to name an appointee by the end of the summer.

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From KEVN News, Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s efforts to combat addiction were recently featured on their newscast:

Representative Kristi Noem is looking to help families stay together while recovering from addiction with two bills now headed to the Senate. Congresswoman Noem says her bills will make it possible for recovering addicts to be with their children and give them tools to stay together.

The bills passed through the House last week, and now head to the Senate. She says if there aren’t any amendments — she hopes it will head straight to the President.

and…

Noem says, “As we know from statistics we’ve seen across South Dakota — and frankly, across the United States, drug and alcohol addiction has been rising — increasing problems across the state. These bills would help keep families strong and together while they’re recovering from those addictions.”

Read it all here.

United States Supreme Court Rules with 12 Attorneys General on Immigration Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that the United States Supreme Court issued a decision allowing President Trump’s executive order, commonly called the “travel ban”, to take effect, with certain exceptions. The Court will hear the merits of the travel ban appeal this fall.

“The President of the United States has extraordinary power and authority to restrict alien entry into the United States for public-safety and national-security reasons. Our nation’s inconsistent immigration policy is unnecessarily affecting public safety and travel in South Dakota and this decision allows for time to review this current policy and ensure that protections are in place for our citizens,” said Jackley.

In March 2017, South Dakota joined 12 State Attorneys General and Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi in support of the temporary immigration policy.

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