Checking on the third-party candidates for Governor.. you know, the ones that get a percentage point or two and never seem to go much further than that.. I stumbled across something fairly interesting.

It appears there is a strong possibility that the Libertarian candidate for Governor, who has been campaigning as a Libertarian for several months now, might not actually be a Libertarian.

CJ Abernathey of Eureka is listed on the national libertarian party website as their candidate for Governor in 2018 for South Dakota, and has been calling himself a candidate for the libertarian nomination for that office since about December:

But as I search for this person (using the proper spelling, which the National Libertarian Party seems to have wrong) I only come up with one person spelling his name that way in the entire state.

And according to the South Dakota Secretary of State’s voter records as of this afternoon, I’m not finding a Libertarian by that name. But I am finding a Republican:

I suppose one can call themselves the Libertarian candidate for the nomination as long as they actually change their party by the time of the party convention (where based on a recent court decision they can nominate constitutional candidates in a few weeks).

But if someone was going to go to all the trouble of having been running as the Libertarian party candidate since early December, especially if they are posting things such as ‘proud to be a libertarian,’ you would’ve thought they might’ve actually taken 10 minutes to go down to the local courthouse to change their party registration before they made the announcement.

Details…

Every year at the end of each session, legislators submits proposals for a summer study.  The executive board pick two or three then assigns legislators to study the topic and possibly produce bills for the next year.

Here are the summer studies that were submitted for 2018:

Study A

Title of Requested Study: Overcoming Obstacles to Workforce Integrations and Development: Non-English Driver License Materials and Examinations

Scope of Requested Study:
Is the lack of the ability of non-English speakers to get a driver license a workforce development problem in South Dakota? Is it keeping potential workers from moving to South Dakota? Is it a public safety issue? If so, how can these issues be remedied and at what cost? How do other states manage this? The focus of this study is to understand how other states provide for driver’s license educational materials and testing (both the knowledge and skills components) in a language other than English. The committee will explore explicit costs as well as possible revenue sources and opportunities for federal or non-profit cooperation or assistance. The committee will explore the numbers of individuals and firms affected, including the affects on following spouses and family members of those moving to South Dakota from outside of the US. The study should include an inquiry into the success rates experienced by other states regarding non-English speaking residents to maintain employment thus decreasing their need for state or federal assistance programs. Does the ability to gain a driver license speed integration into American Society? The study will be limited to all those in SD legally.

Requested By: Senator Ernie Otten, Chair of Senate Transportation

Study B

Title of Requested Study: The economic impact of illegal immigration on the State of South Dakota

Scope of Requested Study:

Requested By: Senator Phil Jensen on behalf of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee

Study C

Title of Requested Study: Wind Energy Permitting, State and County requirements, PUC requirements. Federal and State subsidies applied if applicable.

Scope of Requested Study:
Study the cost of a kilowatt hour. What factors have contributed to the increase in the cost to the consumers? Consumers were told in 2013 that “Wind Energy Savings” would be passed on to the consumers in the future. This has not happened.

Requested By: Senate Commerce and Energy Committee

Study D

Title of Requested Study: Zoning Study for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Wind Farm Development in Certain Counties in South Dakota

Scope of Requested Study:
Develop guidelines for counties to use regarding the development of a zoning plan for above mentioned developments. Issues to be addressed related to each type of land use and how to streamline the procedure to accommodate economical developmnet within each county.

Requested By: Senator Kolbeck, Chair of Commerce and Energy Committee

Study E

Title of Requested Study: Mental Health and Safety in K-12

Scope of Requested Study:
As the nation is faced with increasing violence in our schools, exploring the multifaceted nature of mental health and safety in our K-12 school system is warranted. However, while violence is now in the headlines, this is a much deeper issue. The mental health issues in our classrooms overall interfere with successful learning, diminish the learning environment for all students and influence the overall health of the school. This is also an issue for the overall community, as school culture and health directly affects everyone. At this time no entity is clear on how to meaningfully change the trajectory as multiple factors are in play. This study would be a deep dive understanding of the following in our K-12 schools: Status of mental health to include, but not limited to, issues of adverse childhood experiences (ACES), bullying and suicide ideation; Status of adverse behavior issues that lead to discipline; Management of discipline behavior issues; Access to counselors and mental health professionals, along with meaningful interventions; Safety policies that restrict open access to schools; Response policies to violence in our schools. This study should assess the baseline of these topics in South Dakota K-12 schools, explore benchmark practices for same, and develop possible statute(s) to address.

Requested By: Senate Health and Human Services

Study F

Title of Requested Study: Review of the Brand Board

Scope of Requested Study:
A review of the authority, structure, and operations of the Brand Board. Review the related laws and administrative rules. Review the brand registration process. Review the costs associated with the brand book publication and investigations of livestock theft and fraud.

Requested By: House Ag and Natural Resources

Study G

Title of Requested Study: Effect of Trust Land on County Revenue and Expenditures

Scope of Requested Study:
Explore alternative funding sources for counties. Review of relevant federal and state laws and court cases. Review of state, county, and tribal jurisdictions. A review of county revenue and expenditures. Review the purpose of trust acquisitions, the process by which land is converted into trust, and the implications for county governments.

Requested By: House Ag and Natural Resources

Study H

Title of Requested Study: SD 4-H

Scope of Requested Study:
There are problems in 4-H in South Dakota. We need new leadership in SD 4-H. We need to stay with the SD Dream. 4-H is made for our South Dakota children to develop their skills not to fight over. Our extension service must be in control.

Requested By: Rep. Jim Schaefer

Study I

Title of Requested Study: Drug Court and Substance Abuse Treatment for the Homeless

Scope of Requested Study:
To study the funding and infrastructure needs to create pilot programs in Rapid City and Sioux Falls to address drug addiction treatment for the homeless. These individuals currently cannot participate in the drug court treatment program. These individuals are ineligible because they lack a permanent address and/or stable employment. If these individuals could qualify for the drug court program, the state could realize savings in the Department of Corrections and Correctional Health.

Requested By: Representative Dan Ahlers

Study J

Title of Requested Study: Extraordinary Cost Fund for Special Education

Scope of Requested Study:
The specific issue to be addressed is the increasing need for special education and related services in the schools in our state and how to adequately fund special education in light of that increased need. One of the main concerns is that the state aid dollars currently being set aside for the extraordinary cost fund for special education are not adequate to meet the demands on that fund.

Requested By: Representative Tim Johns

Study K

Title of Requested Study: Access to Mental Health Services

Scope of Requested Study:
The study shall include a review of mental health services available in the state: How persons with mental illness are treated and continuum care; The facilities, locations, resources, treatment options, and services available for treatment of persons with mental illness; The financial costs to the state and its political subdivisions.

Requested By: Senate State Affairs

Study L

Title of Requested Study: A study to allow political subdivisions of the state to be participating members of the state health plan as outlined in SB143

Scope of Requested Study:
The study shall include a review of the ability and costs to expand the coverage of the state health plan to the employees of the political subdivisions of the state, including: A review of the laws, regulations, and policies regarding the state health plan; The additional administrative costs that will be incurred; and, The amount that the political subdivisions must contribute to participate in the state health plan.

Requested By: Senate State Affairs

Study M

Title of Requested Study: Budget Realignment Study

Scope of Requested Study:
In 2011, Governor Daugaard proposed a 10% across the board budget cut. The initiative forced all government to re-assess priorities. While the final % cut varied, all agencies did accept a decrease with the total cut equal to $41.3 million. Instead of waiting until we have to do this, why not force the question? The goal would be to re-align the $ to current priorities. The study could start with a look back to 2011 (while the Daugaard administration is still here to explain). Then study what has happened since. Then pose a “what if” question to each department saying “If your department/agency had to cut __% (insert number) what would you do?” With all of this information, the summer study group could recommend whatever re-alignment of resources they felt appropriate — cuts to some and enhancements to others, re-aligning to current needs and priorities. This would help establish legislative priorities that could be useful with coordinating or directing the priorities of a new administration.

Requested By: Representative John Mills

Study N

Title of Requested Study: School District Capital Outlay

Scope of Requested Study:
Analysis of school district capital funding needs as compared to the funding systems provided under state law.

Requested By: Representative Wiese

Study O

Title of Requested Study: REAL ID Act

Scope of Requested Study:
The study will examine how the federal REAL ID Act impacts South Dakota. It will examine the security of personal data and vital documents and the risks of identity theft.

Requested By: Representative Frye-Mueller

 

Noem Presses US Trade Rep on Ag Uncertainty

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Ways & Means Committee hearing with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week, Rep. Kristi Noem raised concerns about the sunset provisions being debated in the NAFTA renegotiations. If implemented, these provisions would require each country to renew its commitment to the deal every five years, potentially creating high-levels of uncertainty for South Dakota agriculture. Noem noted that 73 percent of commodities grown in South Dakota are exported to either Mexico or Canada, and that trade deals, meant to foster trust, are unreliable when saddled with arbitrary expiration dates.

From Facebook:

Lots more legislative filings today, including Bruce Rampelberg who is making an attempt for a return to the legislature for the District 30 Senate seat he was turned out of by Attorney General candidate Lance Russell.

Family Heritage Alliance Leader Ed Randazzo has filed for the South Dakota House of Representatives in Legislative District 32.

And Lee Schoenbeck has his petitions in for the District 5 State Senate seat as previously announced.

Jackley Launches New Statewide TV Ad: “Running”

PIERRE, SD: Attorney General Marty Jackley shows South Dakotans he has what it takes to go the distance in a new statewide TV ad launched Thursday.

Jackley, who ran track in high school and at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, is now running the most important race of his life.

“The lessons about heart, endurance and teamwork that I learned during my days as a student athlete are still guiding me today,” Jackley said. “We have an incredible team of volunteers spreading our conservative message far and wide, and we’re confident our campaign by South Dakotans for South Dakotans will put us over the top on June 5.”

Jackley overcame a serious high school football knee injury to receive eight varsity athletic “M” awards in college track and cross country, and has been inducted in the School of Mines Hardrocker Hall of Fame with his cross country teammates.

The new ad highlights Jackley’s policy priorities in addition to his business experience as a law partner and his executive experience as attorney general.

-30-

From my email box:

I’m supporting Josh Haeder for State Treasurer!

I am proud to support my friend, Josh Haeder, to be the next Treasurer of South Dakota and I encourage you to join me.

I first met Josh in 2004 when he was running the victory office for the South Dakota GOP in Beadle County. There are three key reasons for why I choose to support Josh:

1. He Is A Genuine Leader

I have known Josh for over 15 years. I have seen him grow from a hardworking young man into a strong and supportive husband to Amanda and father to his children, Maggie Mae and Laikyn Rae. He puts God, family, country first and foremost.

It is without doubt that Josh is a man of integrity. 

2. He Has The Experience

You all know how important good financial decisions are to me. I also know that they are equally important to Josh. He maintains a wide-ranging and diverse involvement with the banking and lending industry, having served as a personal banker and an agriculture and business-lending manager. Following his time as a banker, Haeder served as the Chief Operating Officer and certified credit counselor for a nationally recognized credit counseling agency. Over the past four years, he has gained experience working for US Senator Rounds who serves on the influential Banking Committee, further expanding his interaction with the financial industry, community bankers, and industry lenders.

3. He Will Win!

Josh’s experience is extensive and his understanding of the citizens of South Dakota runs deep. He has worked in the Victory office to help elect John Thune in 2004, he has worked on two statewide US Senate campaigns, including US Senator Mike Rounds’ campaign, he has served as Beadle County’s Republican Chairman. Chances are, if you have run for office in South Dakota, you know Josh Haeder and understand the time and effort he endlessly puts forth. Josh has the energy, commitment, and work ethic to win in the Fall.

It is an honor to support our friend. We encourage you to do the same, so he can get it done in November!

 

Josh will help KEEP SOUTH DAKOTA GREAT IN 2018!

Sincerely,

Dana Randall

Former National Committeeman, South Dakota Republican Party

I just landed in Chicago and was lucky enough to have a short walk to my connecting flight. I’m on the road for a few days with a very rare work trip, so it will be lighter posting until around Saturday. In the meantime I’m hearing lots of stuff out there as we approach the last weekend of petitioning for partisan offices.

– In D29 Senate I’m hearing more clarification and was told Bill Kluck is going to be challenging Gary Cammack in a Senate primary.

– For District 33 house, the word is that on the Republican side, the primary is going to expand from four people to as many as possibly six.

– I’m hearing D25 House is going to get a lot more interesting, as there are rumors that former State Rep. Jon Hansen might be moving forward to return to his old seat. Which might mean a primary at the least, and would definitely trigger a competitive House race in the fall against Democrat Dan Ahlers.

I’ll add to this as time (and flights allow).

Stay tuned!

From KXLG Radio, former State Senator & Representative Lee Schoenbeck has announced that he’s entering the primary for District 5 State Senator:

A long-time South Dakota policymaker is getting back into the political ring.  Lee Schoenbeck announced today that he is seeking the Republican nod to run for State Senate in District Five.  He joins Byron Callies in the upcoming June primary as the second Republican Candidate to enter the race.

Listen to the story here.

It must be grumpy Wednesday, because I keep coming across the awfulness in all sorts of campaign efforts today. The latest? “Bikers for Shantel.” From Facebook:

If you’re going to promote yourself via something called “Bikers for,” it might be helpful to actually show yourself on a motorcycle, as opposed to pictures that are at least 30 years old where the picture happens to show the candidate somewhere in the rough vicinity of a motorcycle.

SMH.