SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCE HARASSMENT, PROFESSIONALISM AND CODE OF CONDUCT TRAINING

PIERRE – The leadership of the South Dakota Legislature have arranged for training on legislative ethics, professionalism and sexual harassment. The training will take place the afternoon of January 17, 2018, and all elected legislators and legislative staff are expected to attend.

Senate Majority Leader R. Blake Curd, M.D., R-District 12 (Sioux Falls), said, “The Legislature takes sexual harassment seriously and it will not be tolerated.”

“The safety, security and professionalism of the South Dakota Legislature and those with whom we interact are of paramount importance. While we have the ability to address unprofessional, unethical and inappropriate behavior of our elected members and legislative staff, we also understand that South Dakota citizens want to ensure that people in elected office conduct themselves in a way that represents the State professionally and ensures the safety and security of those engaged in the people’s business. Demonstrating our collective commitment in this regard, South Dakota’s Legislative leaders have arranged harassment, professionalism and code of conduct training for January 17, 2018,” said Senator Curd.

“I would like to personally thank Senator Deb Peters, R-District 9 (Hartford), for her assistance in garnering the resources for this important topic. Her service as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures has facilitated access by the South Dakota State Legislature to some of the nation’s most respected authorities and presenters in these fields. I look forward to the training in January and believe it will be an invaluable and educational experience for all,” said Senator Curd.

Senate Minority Leader Billie H. Sutton, D-District 21 (Burke), echoed the importance of action on this topic, saying, “South Dakotans expect and deserve a government that is honorable and respectable. This training is the first step in the right direction to help ensure we have a culture of integrity and professionalism in Pierre that we can all be proud of. As elected officials, we must be held to the highest standards of good and ethical conduct. We must continually be listening to the people we represent and taking action to ensure we are doing all we can to promote a principled state government that supports equality and opportunity for everyone.”

House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, R-District 21 (Platte), stated, “In light of the current national allegations regarding sexual harassment, I am excited the leadership of the South Dakota Legislature is moving pro-actively to ensure all elected legislators and legislative staff have an opportunity to participate in this training. As leaders, we take this topic seriously and expect all members and staff to attend. Integrity, ethical conduct, respect and professionalism are demonstrated every day in legislators and staff. This training will strengthen these great qualities.”

House Minority Leader Spencer Hawley, D-District 7 (Brookings), also commented, “Everyone expects to be able to work in a safe, harassment-free environment. This training is an important step for the SD Legislature to take  to help ensure the professionalism and highest ethical standards from our elected officials and staff.

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Congresswoman Noem sent out an e-mail blast to supporters this AM responding to recent attacks by members of the liberal media with regards to the death taxes her father’s estate was forced to pay after his untimely passing.

 

Pat,

The media has launched an intentionally malicious and false attack against my family in recent weeks. Documents disproving their claims have been in the public record for more than 20 years, but even after knowing where those documents were, the media failed to review them before writing their attack pieces. But you know I’ve never been one to back down from a fight…

Tax-loving liberals might not want to read it, but here’s the straight up reality: I’ve spent the last 23 years without my dad. He didn’t get to meet my kids or see how we were able to grow the family farm. But he did get us started. My home sits on land he owned – land he warned me never to sell because “God isn’t making any more of it.” He built that farm so one day his kids could come home and farm together. And the government jeopardized that dream when they hit us with the Death Tax.

Some in the media have started a debate over whether our family did estate planning effectively. To them, I ask: What does it matter? If a tax is only levied because someone didn’t pay lawyers enough before they died, then there’s a problem with that tax.

They have also pointed out that Death Tax exemption levels have changed since my dad’s death. But if you think that simply moving the exemption levels makes this tax “fair,” you’re misdirected. My principles don’t change because the dollar amount does.

While our family history has been laid out in the public record for two decades, I spelled it all out once again in a recent article in the Argus Leader. Take a look.

So, the media can write what they will. And while they’re doing that, I’m going to keep pushing forward. I’m going to spend the rest of my life, if I have to, fighting to repeal the Death Tax. Are you with me?

-Kristi

 

 

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PO Box 527 – Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Paid for by Kristi for Governor

I turned on the Government Operations and Audit Committee to run in the background while working this morning.. and we barely got to 8:05 before we had Senator Nelson interrupting the chair, and trying to talk over her.

In response, Senator Peters very bluntly told him to “knock it off!”

Sounds like it’s going to be one of those meetings.

 

Home for the Holidays
By Sen. John Thune

As Congress enters the homestretch here in 2017, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to head back to South Dakota in the coming weeks to spend the holiday season with my friends and family. There are few things in life that are as important as spending time with those you love. There’s no better time than now, and there’s no better place than South Dakota.

A lot of things have changed over the years, to be sure. Most notably, my family has grown. Brittany and Larissa are both married and now have kids of their own. Many things have also remained the same. We still get together to share old stories and memories, as well as make some new ones along the way. Most importantly, though, we still celebrate God’s gift to mankind, Jesus, who embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

Thinking of years past, I can still smell the lutefisk and lefse that my grandmother would make every Christmas Eve when I was a kid. It’s funny how memories like that stick with you for a lifetime, but I’m glad they do. Like many traditions I had as a kid, my family’s holiday meals, for example, have evolved over the years, and we’ve replaced the traditional Norwegian lutefisk and lefse with clam chowder – a Thune family favorite.

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without all of the festive decorations that adorn community buildings and neighborhood homes, large and small. South Dakota has so many talented holiday decorators that several were chosen this year for a special assignment at the White House in Washington, D.C. Jeremy J. from Emery and Candace S. from Watertown were both among a small group of volunteers who were selected to help decorate one of the most famous and well-recognized homes in the world. It’s quite an accomplishment, and I know their families and communities are proud.

Speaking of families, there isn’t a holiday season that goes by that I don’t think about the brave men and women around the world who are defending freedom on our behalf and the families who are missing them while they are away. While most people are concerned about getting the season’s most popular gifts, beating holiday traffic, or figuring out how many vacation days they need to use before the new year, our troops are putting it all on the line, sometimes thousands of miles away from the comfort of their friends and family.

There’s plenty in the world today to be down about, but there’s so much more for which we can be thankful. I’m glad, as always, to be living in the greatest country, surrounded by the greatest people in the world. My wish this holiday season is that you and your family have safe and happy travels, wherever you’re headed, and that your journey is filled with all of the joy and happiness that make this time of year so special.

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Celebrating Christmas in South Dakota
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

As we approach the end of the year, I have been reflecting on the highlights of 2017. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, the holiday season provides a good opportunity to recount our blessings and celebrate the birth of Jesus, and the promise of a loving God who offered to us his only Son. At the top of our family’s list of blessings this year is the birth of our ninth grandchild, Cohen. For Jean and me, family is our greatest gift, and we are looking forward to spending additional time with them over the holidays.

We are also forever grateful to the men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much to protect our country and all of the freedoms we enjoy. Without their service, we wouldn’t be free to celebrate the holidays with our family and friends safely and freely here at home. We thank members of the armed forces and their families, especially those who have to spend the holidays away from the ones they love, and we pray for their safe return home.

I’m thankful to the people of South Dakota for putting your trust in me to represent our great state in the United States Senate. I have appreciated hearing from you as the Senate works on legislation that’s important to our state and our nation. As I wrap up my third year, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to make life better for South Dakotans. There’s still plenty more to be done to change the way Washington works, and I look forward to making even more progress in the year to come.

Just this year, we’ve accomplished some pretty important items: We confirmed the exceptionally qualified Judge Neil Gorsuch to be a Supreme Court Justice, where he will serve a lifetime appointment and will apply the law as it was written. We’ve also confirmed 12 conservative Circuit Court Judges, the most in the first year of a presidency in over half-a-century.

The Senate passed legislation I introduced to repeal outdated and offensive laws against Native American citizens so we can work toward mending relations. We recognize this is one small step forward, but it’s a move in the right direction. We have introduced a number of provisions that will roll back parts of the Dodd-Frank Act to help financial institutions better serve their customers, which passed out of the Banking Committee this month and now heads to the full Senate for action.

The Senate also passed historic tax reform legislation—the first overhaul of our tax system in more than 30 years—that will allow South Dakota families to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks while growing our economy. We’ve also halted 15 major Obama-era regulations through the Congressional Review Act in our effort to provide regulatory relief to American families and businesses. This is just a snapshot of the work we’ve done in 2017, and we look forward to continuing our work in the upcoming year.

My Christmas wish list includes reforms to the broken budget process in Congress, which hasn’t worked in more than 43 years. It’s incredibly frustrating, and I’m continuing to put pressure on Senate leadership to make major changes to the way we manage federal spending.

This holiday season, Jean and I wish South Dakotans a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. We’re looking forward to hosting Christmas Eve dinner at our home in Fort Pierre, where we’ll be joined by some of our kids, grandkids, my dad Don and his wife Rosemary, and family members from my side of the family and Jean’s, along with family friends. We hope that you too will be able to spend this special time of year with family, friends and loved ones celebrating your traditions.

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A New Era
By Rep. Kristi Noem

 

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of 2017. January started with the inauguration of President Trump, ushering in a new era focused on making America great again.

In the year that was to follow, the U.S. House of Representatives passed more than 460 bills – far surpassing recent averages. More than 90 of them have made it through the Senate and earned President Trump’s signature to become law. Among these were a series of bills that repealed costly Obama-era regulations. One empowered states to defund Planned Parenthood. Another strengthened Second Amendment protections for those with disabilities. Yet another expanded whistleblower protections within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In October, the President signed a bill I wrote, which would increase and strengthen women’s participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention. When America’s security depends on the success of peace negotiations, we must make sure every proven conflict prevention tactic is on the table. This will help us do that.

In addition to what’s already reached President Trump’s desk, the House has passed a series of bills to crack down on sanctuary cities and illegal immigration as well as legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. A bill to improve rural call quality was approved, as was legislation that, if enacted, would ensure those permitted to carry a concealed handgun would be able to bring it to other states that permit concealed carry.

The House-passed Working Families Flexibility Act would allow employers to give workers more flexibility in choosing between overtime pay and additional time off – a choice that’s difficult to offer under existing labor laws. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that we passed would ban abortion after 20 weeks. And the bipartisan Resilient Federal Forests Act would pair a responsible budget fix with forest management reforms to dramatically improve the health and resiliency of our forests.

We also passed the CUFF Act, which I introduced, that would make sure wanted felons and parole violators would no longer have access to certain Social Security benefits. Another bill I introduced that would expand the Black Hills National Cemetery outside Sturgis also passed the House. I’m hopeful the Senate will take up and pass these bills in the New Year.

Tax reform has also steadily advanced throughout this time, as we’ve remained committed to providing families with relief in the New Year.

But more work remains – particularly when it comes to the Farm Bill. This last summer, I joined the House Agriculture Committee in a field hearing to discuss the modifications that will be needed. We received a lot of good feedback. Additionally, I’ve introduced a series of reforms I’d like to see included, such as legislation to improve the wetland determinations process, better ensure fair CRP rental payments, and expand sodsaver provisions nationwide. I’ve also put forward a bill to permanently allow the hay harvested on certain CRP acres to be donated to ranchers suffering from drought or fire.

In addition, I am pushing legislation that would prohibit the IRS from rehiring an employee who has been fired for certain forms of misconduct (yes, it’s ridiculous we have to pass legislation to do this). Reforms to the Indian Health Service as well as legislation to crack down on sex trafficking and the websites that often facilitate it are also top priorities.

Without question, the last 12 months have made for quite a year, but with the momentum in our direction, I’m excited for what 2018 will bring.

Christmas At The Capitol
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

If you want to see the Christmas season in full display, make time to visit your state capitol for the annual displays created for Christmas at the Capitol.  Each morning, as I walk into the Capitol Building, I am greeted by the rich aroma of pine trees and the sparkling reflection of Christmas lights on the ornaments that decorate those trees.

This season marks the 37^th year of Christmas at the Capitol. The idea was spearheaded by Dottie Howe of Pierre in 1981. That first year there were 12 decorated trees. In 1988, Christmas at the Capitol organizers started inviting groups and organizations from throughout the state to send decorations for 30 Capitol trees. The popularity of the Christmas tree display kept growing and growing, and by 1997 groups were decorating 50 trees.

This year the theme is “The Colors of Christmas” and we have over 90 trees in our display. The largest tree, a 27.5-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, has been decorated by the Fort Pierre Bicentennial Committee and was donated by Mary and Iver Finnesand of Grenville. After being trimmed, the tree stands at 24.5 feet in the rotunda.

In addition to the beautiful decorations, we also have music.  At noon and 5 p.m. each day I can hear the Christmas music in the Rotunda from my office. We have groups from all over the state who come to offer music: High school bands, children’s choirs, orchestras, piano students, and soloists.  One Saturday we even had the Nordic Nimble Feet Norwegian Dance group from Brookings perform.

Many volunteers have devoted precious hours to decorate the Capitol building for the holidays. As always, they have done an excellent job.

 I hope you will find time this holiday season to come to experience Christmas at the Capitol. The display is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days each week through Tuesday, Dec. 26, and there is no admission charge.

I hope to see you there!

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Thune Applauds Tax Reform Conference Committee Agreement

“After years of economic stagnation, this bill will usher in a new era of economic dynamism in this country.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of both the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee and the conference committee tasked with negotiating a final tax reform bill, issued the following statement today regarding the House and Senate conference committee agreement on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While timing has yet to be finalized, the Senate is expected to consider the bill early next week. Once the bill clears both the House and Senate, it will head to the president for his signature.

“Members of the House and Senate came together to finalize the details of a pro-growth tax reform bill that will provide Americans with more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks. By reducing individual tax rates, doubling the standard deduction, and increasing the child tax credit, our bill will ensure Americans are able to keep more of their hard-earned money. And by lowering taxes on job creators, our bill will foster an economic environment that will give Americans access to more jobs, higher wages, and better opportunities. Our final package delivers on the promise we made to provide real relief to hardworking Americans. After years of economic stagnation, this bill will usher in a new era of economic dynamism in this country. And it will send a message to the world that America is serious about competing and succeeding in the 21st century economy.”

Since January 2017, Thune has introduced numerous individual tax reform marker bills that cover multiple portions of the tax code. Thune-authored provisions included in the conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are:

• Modified portions of Thune’s Investment in New Ventures and Economic Success Today (INVEST) Act of 2017 (S. 1144), legislation that would simplify accounting rules and reform key parts of the tax code to help small and medium-sized business owners more quickly recover investment costs and certain other tax deductible business expenses. By accelerating cost recovery on property, equipment, inventory, and other common business investments, these provisions would encourage new business growth and help existing businesses, including farms and ranches, expand their operations, create new jobs, and grow the economy.
• Provisions from Thune’s S Corporation Modernization Act of 2017 (S. 711) that would allow foreign individuals to invest in S corporations through Electing Small Business Trusts (ESBTs) and treat ESBTs like S corporation shareholders so both can claim deductions with respect to charitable contributions made by an S corporation. Thune also led efforts during the conference to ensure that trusts, including ESBTs, and estates benefit from the new deduction for owners of pass-through businesses like S corporations.

Thune doesn’t believe death should be a taxable event, which is why he introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act in January 2017 and still strongly supports this approach. The conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes his provision from the Senate bill that would provide additional relief (compared to current law) to more of South Dakota’s family-run businesses, farms, and ranches that are currently threatened by the death tax, which is important progress.

Through his role as a member of the conference committee, Thune helped a number of other senators to include their shared priorities. Working with Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thune helped improve the new deduction for pass-through businesses so owners of agricultural cooperatives benefit from the 20 percent deduction. Thune also worked with Sens. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Cory Gardner (Colo.), and Grassley to ensure that tax credits for renewable energy, like wind and solar, are taken into account under the new international tax rules.

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Noem Signs Tax Reform Conference Report

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today signed the Tax Reform Conference Report, which is the legislative language agreed to by the House and Senate. The language will next move to a vote in the House and Senate. Read the conference report here. A summary can be found here.

“The American people deserve more control over their paychecks,” said Noem. “They’ve worked hard for that money. They ought to be the ones deciding how, where, and when to spend it. This legislation does just that, while at the same time strengthening families and creating a healthier economy in which wages can rise.”

Noem continued: “I understand that no tax plan is going to be perfect in everyone’s eyes. While exemption levels were increased on the Death Tax, for instance, I fought – and will continue to fight – to repeal this un-American double tax. Still, this legislation offers critical relief to hard-working families, and I’m hopeful it will arrive at the president’s desk soon.”

Noem’s entry into public service came after her family was hit by the Death Tax following a farm accident that took her dad’s life. Noem went on to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature where she was appointed to the House Taxation Committee. Following her election to the U.S. House, Noem served on a series of committees, including the House Agriculture Committee where she successfully negotiated the 2014 Farm Bill as a member of that Conference Committee. In 2015, Noem earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the first South Dakotan in history to do so. Noem became one of nine House Republicans to serve on the Tax Reform Conference Committee, which negotiated the tax reform deal.

Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Lowers individual tax rates, setting them at 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.

Nearly doubles the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.

Provides unprecedented support for families.

• Increases the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child.
• Eliminates the “marriage penalty.”
• Preserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.
• Preserves the Adoption Tax Credit.

Eliminates Obamacare’s individual mandate tax. 

Preserves the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction for existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $750,000, while grandfathering in existing mortgages.

Retains popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts.

Permanently retains the medical expense deduction and lowers the threshold for two years at a pre-Obamacare level of 7.5% of adjusted gross income.

Improves vehicles for education by allowing families to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary, and higher education.

Continues the deduction for charitable contributions.

Allows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakota’s agriculture community.

Creates a separate and historically low small business tax rate.

Lowers the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 21%.

VIDEO: Noem’s Opening Conference Committee Remarks

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