From Twitter:

Rep. Timothy Johns, R-Lead, a retired circuit judge, will chair the committee that will investigate Rep. David Johnson, R-Rapid City, regarding his behavior toward Rep. Lynne DiSanto, R-Rapid City.

— Bob Mercer (@pierremercer) February 23, 2018

I’ve heard over the past couple of days that an argument on the House Floor during session a couple of days ago between Reps Lynne DiSanto and Dave Johnson continued after session, and may have gotten a bit heated. So much so that we’re seeing comments like this:

“I truly regret this,” Rep. Johnson apologizing to Rep. DiSanto.”I was wrong. I do not make any excuses.” “I have been working with my family on this already. I have been consulting with my religious advisers already.”

— Bob Mercer (@pierremercer) February 23, 2018

There are not a lot of details I’m aware of just yet. As soon as the full audio of the day is archived, I’ll have more on this.

Update – from the Argus Leader:

South Dakota lawmakers on Friday called for an investigation into Rep. David Johnson, following allegations that the Rapid City Republican verbally assaulted another legislator on the House floor.

The House of Representatives voted 45-13 to establish the Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion, which will investigate allegations that Johnson displayed inappropriate behavior toward Rep. Lynne DiSanto, R-Rapid City, Wednesday evening.

Read that here.

Update from the Associated Press/Rapid City Journal:

The South Dakota House will investigate a first-term Republican representative for conduct the lawmaker described as “unfair statements” to a colleague.

Read it here.

Every once in a while, someone comes up with a great idea.   This is not one of them.

Levi Breyfogle of Rapid City is starting the process to get a constitutional measure on the ballot that has the goal to eliminate many crimes from actually being crimes.  He’s sent a measure to the Legislative Research Council for review and set up a website to promote his new system of government.

If you could call it that. Government, that is.

No victim, no crime. Is a popular saying in circles that value freedom. What this amendment would do is exactly that. Require a victim for a crime to have been committed. If no one was damaged and is willing to press charges there can be no crime.

and…

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
That Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota be amended by adding NEW SECTIONS to read as follows:

§ 30. In order for a violation of the law to have been committed each of the following shall occur: 

(1) A charge of a violation may only be filed by a individual victim whose person or property have been physically damaged by the defendant. If the victim is incapable of filing a charge of a violation, a family member may, but only if the victim does not object; and
(2) The damages must be physical, quantifiable, and have already occured.

§ 31. Each known victim in any pending case on July 1, 2021, in the law enforcement, judicial, or correctional systems shall be notified and the victim may file a charge of a violation. If no victim files a charge of a violation, the case, sentence, or outstanding fine shall be dropped by October 1, 2021. If a charge if filed, the charge shall be initially reviewed within 30 days to verify the person filing the charge was a probable victim of a willful, direct, physical action of the defendant. No restitution shall be paid for time or fines already paid by any person currently or previously incarcerated or paying fines even if a charge of a violation is dropped pursuant to this section.

§ 32. No public funds of this state, or any political subdivision of this state, may be expended for the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation regulating any case that is in violation of this amendment. No personnel or property of this state, or any political subdivision of this state, may be utilized for the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation that is in violation of this amendment.

and…

How will the government interfere with our day to day lives?
After passing this they really won’t be able to.

and..

What would this do to the economy?
It would lower costs when you bought anything. It would allow anyone to do any kind of work they wanted to and were able. It would reduce the costs invloved with starting nearly any business greatly allowing for lower prices, higher wages, and more profits.

Read that all here.

This measure doesn’t serve to increase liberty as much as it does to utterly eliminate the criminal code, save for the direct physical harm of another person.

So, according to the proposal, if I wanted to manufacture pipe bombs and sell them to 18-year-olds, it appears that according to the measure, I could legally do that, and the state would be barred from cooperating with the federal government to stop me.

Under this proposed constitutional amendment, I’m also reading it to potentially legalize prostitution, brothels, and selling crack.

That doesn’t exactly sound like a good idea. But maybe that’s just me.   It sounds more like anarchy.

Unless you’re into pipe bombs, brothels, and crack. Then it might be your thing.

Jackley Wins South Dakota Chamber Poll

PIERRE, SD: In a South Dakota Chamber of Commerce poll conducted Thursday at their annual Business Day gathering in the state capital, a majority of the Chamber members from around the state said they supported Attorney General Marty Jackley for governor.

Asked who they would vote for if the election were held today, 60 percent chose Jackley, while 23 percent chose Congresswoman Kristi Noem and 17 percent chose State Senator Billie Sutton:

“I’m incredibly grateful for such a positive outpouring of support from members of the Chamber, but this is about more than supporting my candidacy for governor,” Jackley said. “To me this is a message of support for the ideas that we’ve been circulating throughout the business community the past several months.”

The poll comes after the release of three policy initiatives from the Jackley campaign. Destination South Dakota addressed the state’s tourism industry, and the Pheasant Hunting Initiative pitched a plan to restore the population of the state bird. This week’s Hometown South Dakota Initiative offered five proposals for economic growth.

“Since creating new jobs is our top priority, we’ve been seeking input from small businesses and community leaders across the state, and our policy initiatives will continue to reflect the advice that we receive,” Jackley said. “Our campaign is truly a team effort, and our message to the Chamber is that we want to partner with them to make South Dakota an attractive place to live, work and do business.”

This is the second year in a row those polled by the Chamber have thrown their support behind Jackley, who received 39 percent of the vote last year compared to 24 percent for Noem and 11 percent for Sutton.

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Noem Opens Sioux Falls Campaign Headquarters

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Kristi Noem opened her Sioux Falls Campaign Headquarters Friday. The office will serve as a volunteer outreach center, where South Dakotans can find information about Noem’s vision for South Dakota as well as collect signs, bumper stickers and other Team Noem materials. The office is located at 3300 S. Holly Avenue in Sioux Falls.

“With restaurants, concerts, shopping, and more, this community has long served as a hub for activity in eastern South Dakota, and I’m hopeful our new Sioux Falls location will serve the same purpose for our campaign,” said Noem. “I want to thank everyone who came together to celebrate today’s grand opening. Their support and willingness to help spread our vision for South Dakota means the world to me.”

PHOTOS FROM THE GRAND OPENING

Noem in Mitchell Saturday for Campaign Kickoff Tour

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Kristi Noem will be in Mitchell on Saturday, February 24, as part of her statewide campaign kickoff tour. During the tour, Noem will host events in rural Hamlin County, Pierre, Rapid City, Sturgis, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Yankton, Vermillion and Mitchell.

WHAT: Noem to Referee Coborns Dodge for a Cause Dodgeball Tournament
WHEN: Saturday, February 24 at 1:00PM (CT)
WHERE: Mitchell Recreation Center (1300 N Main Street, Mitchell)

WHAT: Noem to Keynote Vietnam Veterans Era Reunion
WHEN: Saturday, February 24 – 6:00PM (CT)
WHERE: Ramada Inn (1525 West Havens Avenue, Mitchell)

###

South Dakota Democrat Legislators are teaming up with Democrats’ captive Political Action Committee  “The Majority Project” to raise money for their elections next week:

Given how many people are in the picture, they’ve got a long way to go to hit a majority.

Here’s the PAC’s latest campaign finance filing, in case you’re interested.

Rep. Kristi Noem Scores 100 Percent on FRC Action’s New Scorecard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Family Research Council (FRC) Action recently released its annual scorecard for the First Session of the 115th Congress. U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) is among a new record of 245 Members of Congress who scored a perfect 100 percent for votes cast last year. She was recently presented with FRC Action’s “True Blue” award for displaying unwavering commitment and consistent support of faith, family, and freedom.

Votes in the U.S. House and Senate included:
• No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion
• Disapproval of Obama’s HHS Title X Rule
• Obamacare Repeal and Replace
• Confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
• DOD Transgender Funding (Blocking Funding for Sex-Reassignment Surgeries)
• D.C. Budget Autonomy
• D.C. Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment
• Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
• Independent Payment Advisory Board Repeal
• Confirmation of Amy Barrett to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Tax Cuts & Jobs Act

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins made the following comment:

“We thank Rep. Noem for consistently voting to defend and advance faith, family and freedom. As a ‘True Blue Member’ she voted 100 percent on FRC Action’s Scorecard including votes to repeal and replace Obamacare, deliver long-needed tax cuts that are already providing much needed relief to working families, stand for religious liberty, overturn President Obama’s transgender military policy, end the forced partnership between taxpayers and Planned Parenthood, and protect pain capable babies.

“Rep. Noem deserves praise for her unwavering commitment to stand for life, family, marriage, and religious liberty. South Dakotans should be encouraged to know that they have a Member of Congress such as Rep. Noem who has come alongside other members and our president to begin the work of rebuilding our nation, and protecting the very values that made America great,” concluded Perkins.

Rep. Kristi Noem added:

“Faith, family and freedom are the cornerstone of our country and the tenets by which I try to live. I am thrilled by the progress we’ve seen over the last year, whether that be the appointment of a pro-life Supreme Court Justice, states getting more flexibility to defund Planned Parenthood, or the passage of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act through the U.S. House. More must be done, but I’m optimistic that with the help of organizations like Family Research Council we’ll continue to move in the right direction. I’m proud to be a partner in this fight and honored to be given the ‘True Blue’ award.”

Click here to download a copy of the Vote Scorecard.

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The State Chamber of Commerce had their annual meeting today, and a reader in attendance was kind enough for forward me a snapshots of the big political contests in their unscientific plebiscite among attendees.

No specific information as to how many were in attendance, but Dusty Johnson won the congressional contest, and Marty Jackley won the Gubernatorial poll among those voting.

And the campaign rolls on!

UPDATE: My source did provide me a picture of the crowd:

Noem in Sioux Falls, Vermillion and Yankton Friday for Campaign Kickoff Tour

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Kristi Noem will be in Sioux Falls, Vermillion and Yankton on Friday, February 23, as part of her statewide campaign kickoff tour. During the tour, Noem will host events in rural Hamlin County, Pierre, Rapid City, Sturgis, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Yankton, Vermillion and Mitchell.

WHAT: Noem to Open Sioux Falls Campaign Headquarters
WHEN: Friday, February 21 at 9:45AM (CT)
WHERE: Sioux Falls Campaign Headquarters (3300 S. Holly Avenue, Sioux Falls)

WHAT: Noem to Meet with USD College Republicans
WHEN: Friday, February 23 – 12:00PM (CT)
WHERE: Muenster University Center (414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion)

WHAT: Noem to Hold Listening Session on Housing Challenges
WHEN: Friday, February 23 – 1:30PM (CT)
WHERE: Chamber of Commerce (116 Market Street, Vermillion)

WHAT: Noem to Hold Listening Session on Vocational Training
WHEN: Friday, February 23 – 3:30PM (CT)
WHERE: Kolberg Pioneer Trading Center (700 W 21st Street, Yankton)

Innovative Systems CEO Endorses Jackley for Governor in New Ad

MITCHELL, SD: Roger Musick, CEO of Innovative Systems in Davison County, has endorsed Marty Jackley for governor in a new ad following the launch of the attorney general’s Hometown South Dakota Initiative.

“Marty’s first degree is in engineering, and that experience has helped him connect with companies like ours which are focused on advancing South Dakota in the technological space,” Musick said. “His Hometown Initiative is just the latest example of his leadership. It’s been very well received by folks here in Mitchell, and I’m especially glad to see he emphasized the need to modernize broadband in South Dakota.”

For 20 years Musick has led a team of nearly 200 professionals who provide expertise in the areas of telecommunications, electrical engineering, embedded systems design, software engineering and marketing.

“To have the endorsement of a job creator, community leader and pioneer in the field of telecommunications is truly humbling,” Jackley said. “Business owners like Roger helped shape our Hometown Initiative, and we’re going to continue to hold economic roundtables across the state.”

Jackley’s first economic roundtable in Harrisburg included mayors, commissioners and business leaders, and one of the Hometown Initiative’s planks is a commitment to annual meetings with each of these groups to discuss economic issues.

“The people of South Dakota don’t want platitudes in this campaign,” Jackley said. “They want policy, substance and fresh ideas, and we’re going to give it to them.”

Jackley’s Hometown Initiative can be viewed here: https://www.martyjackley.com/hometown-south-dakota-initiative/

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