Heinert responds to Gubernatorial candidate Hubbel calling him “Pocahontas,” and “a Dutchman pretending to be an Indian.”

Pat Powers

State Senator Troy Heinert had some choice words for Lora Hubbel under the comment section of the original post where her fairly racist comment against him was noted:

My name is Troy Heinert and I am a proud member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, my enrollment number is 345U37928. My parents are Margo Heinert and the late Harold Heinert.

My mother is Dutch and my father was Lakota and German who lived his entire life on the Rosebud Reservation on the same land that has been passed down through our family since the original allotment act that established Reservations for Lakota’s.

My 87 year old Lakota grandmother still lives on this place and would be ashamed that there are still people in our State that show that kind of ignorance and racism towards her own blood.

Read it all here.

 

Noem: Tax Reform is signed!

Pat Powers

Today, Things Got Better for Americans, Says Noem of Trump’s Tax Reform Bill Signing

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today applauded President Donald J. Trump on his signing of H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Noem was instrumental in crafting the legislation as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and then a member of the small negotiating team that made the final deal. A farmer, rancher, small business owner and mother, Noem fought to double the Child Tax Credit, maintain the Child Care Credit, provide ag producers with better expensing tools, and lower tax rates across the board.

“I’ve thought back often on the South Dakotans I’ve met who have asked when it was going to get better. Today, things got better for the American people,” said Noem. “I am proud to have fought beside President Trump for a tax reform plan that puts real money in people’s pockets. A family of four in South Dakota making $54,000 will see a difference in their after-tax income of at least $1,600. That’s $1,600 that can go back into our state and our communities, rather than into the greedy hands of Washington. I thank President Trump for his leadership and for working with us to give the American people more control over their paychecks.”

The average household income in South Dakota is $54,000. Under current law, that family of four would face an $833 tax liability. Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, however, the standard deduction is doubled, meaning the first $24,000 they earn would now be tax free. The Child Tax Credit is also doubled to $2,000 per child. And tax rates are lowered for that family to 12 percent. As a result, that same family would now receive a $781 tax refund, meaning there is a $1,614 difference in after-tax income.

Additionally, families can still take advantage of the Child Care Credit, home mortgage interest deduction, Adoption Tax Credit, charitable contribution deduction, and popular retirement savings options. The medical expense deduction and 529 Education Savings Accounts have also been enhanced.

Noem served as the only farmer/rancher on the final negotiating team, making her a critical advocate for South Dakota’s number one industry. The legislation gives producers access to enhanced expensing tools, immediate deductibility, and like-kind exchanges. It also creates a 20 percent small business deduction that will benefit many farms and ranches as well as agricultural cooperatives. Death Tax exemption levels are also doubled, although Noem continues to push for full repeal.

State of South Dakota Files Final Brief in United States Supreme Court Tax Fairness Case

Pat Powers

State of South Dakota Files Final Brief in United States Supreme Court Tax Fairness Case

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed today that the State  of South Dakota has filed its final Reply Brief in State of South Dakota v. Wayfair, Overstock and Newegg.

“Based upon the significant impact this issue has on every main street business, it remains my hope that our highest Court will let us be heard. We have received extraordinary support from the State Attorneys General, the National Governors Association, educational leaders, and the business community in the national fight to bring tax fairness for our local retailers and to help support main street businesses,” said Jackley.

With the filing of the Reply Brief, it is now up to the United States Supreme Court to decide whether it will hear the case.  The Court will likely make this decision in January.

Reply Brief in State of South Dakota v. Wayfair, Overstock and Newegg

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Aberdeen American News picks up story on Novstrup & Thune’s Christmas Miracle

Pat Powers

Is it a miracle that Government was moved to help out a church in need? Probably not, but it makes a nice Christmas Story as State Senator Al Novstrup and US Senator John Thune helped out a church in Aberdeen with their nativity scene:

The feds were holding up the 9-month-old dromedary who lives on a farm east of Pierre. His owner, Mike Roman, had canceled Walter’s appearance because Roman hadn’t been able to attain an exhibitor’s permit in time to display the exotic animal. Roman notified the Aberdeen church that Walter wouldn’t be joining Cocoa the donkey and a lamb who had been provided by other farmers.

The church staff was discussing the unfortunate cancellation and that fodder made it’s way to Al Novstrup’s ear. The state senator is also a long-time member of the church and tapped some connections for Roman and Walter. The inquiry made its way to U.S. Sen. John Thune’s local office and eventually to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Between everyone talking to each other, it’s my understanding the Department of Agriculture called Mike and said, ‘We can solve that, that’s no problem of all,’” Novstrup said.

Read that all here.

Gubernatorial Candidate Lora Hubbel calls Dem. State Senator Troy Heinert “Pocahontas,” claims he’s “a Dutchman pretending to be an Indian.”

Pat Powers

It seems we have a morning every once in a while where we find ourselves going “Oh God. Lora Hubbel really did that,” and we’re recoiling in horror over her saying something horribly insane or horribly offensive. Or as we’re finding this morning, both.

This morning, courtesy of GOP Candidate for Governor Lora Hubbel, some racism to kick off the Christmas Holiday:

“SD’s Pocahontas – the man is a Dutchman pretending to be an Indian”  Jesus wept. She’s trying to insinuate he isn’t Native American?

He is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe, lives on the Rosebud Indian reservation, and represents them in the legislature. I’m a Republican, and anyone besides Lora can easily say that there’s nothing false about his heritage.

South Dakota Republicans should not have to apologize for the horrible things Lora Hubbel has a tendency to say.  Especially in cases such as this. It’s indefensible.

Hubbel needs to abandon running for Governor on the Republican ticket now.  Not tomorrow, not after petitions are gathered.  She needs to leave the race now.

Rounds Statement on CFPB Decision to Delay HMDA Enforcement

Pat Powers

Rounds Statement on CFPB Decision to Delay HMDA Enforcement

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today issued the following statement on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) announcement to delay enforcement of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act:

“As the Senate sponsor of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act, I am keenly aware of the burden that HMDA data reporting requirements pose for small banks and credit unions in South Dakota. Today’s decision to delay penalties for the collection of HMDA data will give the Senate enough time to consider the Senate Banking Committee’s economic growth legislation, which includes my provision that would provide a long-term fix for this problem. This will allow banks to focus on servicing consumers rather than on complying with unneeded federal reporting regulations. I thank Acting CFPB Director Mulvaney for his leadership on this issue and look forward to getting our economic growth legislation signed into law.”

Today, the CFPB announced it will not require HMDA data resubmission unless errors are material, nor will the CFPB assess penalties with respect to errors for data collected in 2018 and reported in 2019. The Bureau also announced it intends to open a rulemaking to reconsider changes made to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act by the Dodd-Frank Act. Senator Rounds’ Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act, S. 1310, provides an exemption from new HMDA data reporting requirements for small financial institutions that originate 500 closed-end mortgage loans or 500 open-end lines of credit.

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Release: Tapio says Trump Tax Plan a Supercharger for Economic Growth

Pat Powers

Tapio: Trump Tax Plan a Supercharger for Economic Growth

State Senator Neal Tapio of Watertown issued high praise today for the Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Plan, saying the plan is a Christmas gift to American working families, including significant tax cuts for the middle class that will mean an immediate jolt in economic activity and consumer confidence.

“I would like to congratulate President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers for their work on this landmark revision to the tax code and what will undoubtedly result in a further acceleration of the economic recovery that is already surging under President Trump’s policies,” Tapio said.

Besides doubling the estate value threshold of the ‘Death Tax,’ to $22-million and cutting the corporate income tax rate from 39% to 21%, President Trump’s tax plan results in a $1.5-trillion tax cut for taxpayers and will result in a 70% tax cut for average single mothers and a 60% cut for the average family of four.

“For pinched families who’ve waited for so long for some renewal of hope for their economic futures, this plan is a loud and clear signal that President Trump has heard their pleas for help and that he clearly understands that tax dollars don’t belong to the government, but to the people who pay them,” Tapio said.

“I am very thankful to have supported this President long before anyone took his run seriously, or believed that his was a winning vision for the American people.  I’ve never wavered in that support and this tax plan only confirms that he’s a man committed to keeping the promises he made in the 2016 election.”

Changes to the corporate income tax rate are expected to have an immediate impact in convincing American companies who have outsourced their manufacturing facilities to offshore locations to return those facilities to American soil, bringing hundreds of thousands of jobs back home.  American companies had previously been paying the highest tax rate in the world, leading many to move their operations to other nations where lower tax rates allowed larger margins of profitability and return on investment.  President Trump talked frequently on the campaign trail about the resulting rush in outsourcing of the American manufacturing sector and the loss of more than ten million jobs in the past two decades.

Tapio predicts unprecedented growth for the economy, setting the stage for Congress to address the out of control spending issues leading to massive budget deficits and federal debt.

“The United States is open for business once again. There are still many dangers ahead in the economy, but this improved business climate and economy sets the stage for needed welfare and entitlement reforms in 2018. If you thought the political fights were difficult this year, wait until President Trump starts looking at the out-of-control spending in Washington. This will not be a time for weak political leadership,” Tapio said.

“As Thomas Paine so famously put it, ‘These are the times that try men’s souls.’” Tapio said.

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Pre-filed Legislation being posted at Legislative Research Council

Pat Powers

The Legislative Research Council is beginning the process of posting pre-filed legislation on their website, mainly coming from the work of interim committees over the course of the past year.  In case you’re interested in seeing what legislators will be discussing early on in the session, here’s the list as of this morning:

House Bill
HB 1001 revise the membership of the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council.
HB 1002 revise certain provisions concerning campaign finance requirements.
HB 1003 revise certain provisions concerning the content of the campaign finance disclosure reports and to declare an emergency.
HB 1004 revise certain provisions regarding petition forms for initiated measures and initiated amendments to the Constitution.
HB 1005 revise certain requirements for a recitation regarding the effect of a vote on certain ballot measures.
HB 1006 revise the extent of comments required by the director of the Legislative Research Council regarding certain ballot measures and the period of time in which those comments are to be made.
HB 1007 create a citizen initiative review commission to review initiated measures and initiated amendments to the Constitution and to prescribe the commission’s powers and duties.
HB 1008 revise certain provisions that authorize the secretary of transportation to provide for temporary variable speed limits on state highways in the interests of highway safety due to varying weather, road work, and other conditions.
HB 1009 revise certain provisions regarding the administration of benefits provided to veterans.
HB 1010 revise certain provisions regarding federal protections for National Guard members ordered to active duty.
HB 1011 revise certain provisions regarding voter registration list maintenance mailings.
HB 1012 revise certain provisions regarding political party status and to declare an emergency.
HB 1013 revise certain provisions regarding voting systems used in elections and to declare an emergency.
HB 1014 revise certain provisions regarding the application of the intrastate exemption for certain commercial vehicles from the federal motor carrier regulations.
HB 1015 repeal the use of explosives, pyrotechnics, and fireworks for the protection of sunflower crops from depredating birds.

House Joint Resolution
HJR 1001 Proposing and submitting to the voters an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, removing the Legislature’s authority to set legislator salaries for a regular legislative session.

Senate Bill
SB 1 revise certain provisions regarding tax deed procurement.
SB 2 provide additional funding for the housing opportunity fund by redistributing certain building South Dakota funds.
SB 3 increase the amount of unobligated cash that may be transferred to the building South Dakota fund after the end of a fiscal year.
SB 4 revise certain provisions relating to the contractor’s excise tax revenues that are deposited into the building South Dakota fund.
SB 5 establish a tax refund program for certain workforce housing projects.
SB 6 require that the unobligated cash balance of the building South Dakota fund be used in determining the allocation of unobligated general funds.
SB 7 revise certain provisions concerning campaign finance limits.
SB 8 establish provisions as to how campaign contribution limits apply to certain aggregate contributions.
SB 9 require fiscal notes for certain initiated measures and initiated amendments to the Constitution.
SB 10 provide for the resolution of conflicts by multiple initiated measures and amendments to the Constitution adopted at the same election.
SB 11 revise certain provisions regarding the time period during which petition sponsors may submit ballot measures to the Legislative Research Council for review and comment.
SB 12 require petition circulators for certain ballot measures to make available the full text of the ballot measure to petition signers.
SB 13 revise certain provisions regarding the director of the Legislative Research Council issuing fiscal notes for certain ballot measures.
SB 14 revise certain references to the special highway fund in provisions regarding motor vehicle license fees distribution.
SB 15 revise the composition of the state trunk highway system.
SB 16 repeal certain curb ramp construction specifications for municipalities.
SB 17 revise certain provisions regarding a division under the Department of Human Services.
SB 18 revise certain provisions regarding the South Dakota Board of Technical Education.
SB 19 revise certain provisions regarding lease-purchase agreements for a local education agency.
SB 20 enact the State and Province Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding.
SB 21 update references to certain federal motor carrier regulations.
SB 22 allow commercial driver license applicants three attempts to pass the commercial driver license examination.
SB 23 reduce the driver license renewal requirements regarding the submittal of documentation of social security numbers and to update certain references to federal regulations.

Senate Joint Resolution
SJR 1 Proposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to amendments to the Constitution.