From Facebook, the people trying to legalize smoking pot for “medical” use claim to have counted over 14,000 Signatures on their petitions as of midnight last night:

But, haven’t we heard this before? From 2016:

Krebs said the sponsor of the measure turned in 16,543 signature, but that after a spot-check of 5 percent of those signatures, it was determined that too many were invalid. It was determined that 54.5 percent, or 9,019 of the 16,543 signatures were valid, but that was not enough for the measure to make the statewide ballot.

Read that here.

Supporters needed to collect 13,870 valid signatures. If they find themselves coming in with nearly two thousand fewer signatures than they had last election, I’d be surprised to see it pass the muster of a petition review.

Dovetailing off of the article which appeared in the Collegian the other day, in Yesterday’s Sioux City Journal, SDSU PoliSci Professor David Wiltse is doubling down on his comments that the 2018 Gubernatorial race is going to come down to a clash of two champions – Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley.

However, Wiltse and his counterpart at USD, Julia Hellwege, disagree on who holds the upper hand:

Professors David Wiltse of South Dakota State University and Julia Hellwege of the University of South Dakota said the race will boil down to two Republicans — U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.

“South Dakota is becoming such a monolithically Republican state, it would take a near meltdown of a Republican candidate or campaign in order for (a Democrat to win),” Wiltse said.

Noem, 45, a former state legislator, was first elected to the sole South Dakota congressional position in 2010. Jackley, 47, has been the state’s attorney general since 2009, when he was appointed to a vacancy and then won two elections.

“That is certainly the common wisdom, and I see no reason why it won’t shake down to those two,” Wiltse said.

and…

Wiltse said he thinks Noem has the upper hand one year out, since she can point to constituent help and has more campaign funds, plus the attorney general position is “not as prominent an office to build a record upon.”

Hellwege said Noem is well-known in South Dakota, but the fact that she spends much of her time outside of the state could create an opening for Jackley to campaign hard across the state’s counties.

Read it here.

So really, if the race is going to boil down to Jackley and Noem, it’s not as the article says with “1 year to go…” as the front runner in the race is going to be largely decided on June 5th.

If that’s the case, remember – petitioning begins on January 1. And early voting* begins April 20th.

(*Yes, I know it’s officially in-person absentee voting. But most of us call it early voting anyway)

For Self-Driving Vehicle Technology, the Future is Now
By Sen. John Thune

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I’m fortunate to be involved in a wide range of issues that affect nearly every American in one way or another. My committee has jurisdiction over matters relating to weather forecasting, science, technology, interstate commerce, highway safety, and our nation’s transportation system as a whole. We cover all things planes, trains, and automobiles – and since we also oversee the U.S. Coast Guard and NASA, I guess you could add boats and spacecraft to that list, too.

This unique intersection of topics, which is unlike most other committees in the Senate, gives me the opportunity to pursue ideas with an eye toward futuristic realities that are within reach. For example, the Senate has already passed my Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act, which would lay important and necessary groundwork to help the United States – South Dakota in particular, I hope – lead the world into the 5G mobile broadband era.

MOBILE NOW is bipartisan, supported by key industry leaders, and would benefit consumers and businesses alike. Getting this bill through the House and across the finish line would mark an important step toward cementing our role in the future of this cutting-edge technology.

This fall, after spending months working with Republicans and Democrats on my committee, I introduced another bipartisan, forward-looking proposal with Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). The American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act would create a new safety review process at the U.S. Department of Transportation, enhance safety oversight, and clarify the roles for federal, state, and local regulators with respect to self-driving or automated vehicle (AV) technology.

Right now, the federal government is responsible for regulating vehicle performance, while states and local governments regulate drivers and related issues like insurance, speed limits, and most other traffic ordinances. There are varying degrees of AV technology, and in some cases, no human operator is required. This new technological environment blurs the line between federal, state, and local regulatory responsibilities. My bill provides greater clarity for governments and innovators to hopefully prevent unnecessary burdens from standing in the way of progress on AV technology.

Roadways around the country claim more than 35,000 lives every year. More than 90 percent of those fatalities are due to human error like distracted driving or driving under the influence. Safety must always be a priority, and many American-made vehicles on the road today are already equipped with new technology that makes driving easier and safer: self-parking functionality, automatic braking, and lane departure warnings, just to name a few. From a purely safety perspective, if AV technology can save lives by making vehicles safer, why wouldn’t we pursue it?

For self-driving vehicle technology, the future is now. If the United States doesn’t lead this effort, other countries around the world will. While the AV START Act is Congress’ first effort to harness the safety, quality of life, and economic benefits of this kind of technology, it certainly won’t be the last. There’s a long road ahead of us, but it’s one worth traveling.

###

Thank You, Veterans
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

The men and women who wear the uniform of the United States make incredible sacrifices for us, and every year on November 11 we pay tribute to them and all they have done to defend our freedoms. Veterans Day is a reminder to all of us to thank those who have bravely answered the call to serve.

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have been working on proposals to improve the quality of life for South Dakota veterans. Our committee has had a productive year, and is looking forward to making even more reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the future. We were happy to see the president sign the Veterans Educational Assistance Act into law in August, after it passed out of the Senate with strong bipartisan support. This bill makes much-needed updates to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, especially for veterans wanting to pursue an education once they enter civilian life.

It included a few measures that I introduced, one of which is a provision to add all Purple Heart recipients—regardless of length of time spent on active duty—to the list of eligible veterans who can access full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.  Another included provision will allow for more flexibility in transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members of deceased service members. The Veterans Educational Assistance Act will allow more veterans and their surviving family members to pursue educational opportunities to set them up for good-paying careers in a competitive job market.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under Secretary David Shulkin, has been working to fix the problems plaguing the agency over the past years. While there is still work to be done to improve veteran care, Secretary Shulkin has been committed to the cause and is working to streamline the agency he leads. Recently, the VA proposed its CARE proposal—their vision of the future program to provide care in the community for veterans. I look forward to working with the VA and my colleagues on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to improve care in the community for veterans.

Also this year, the VA announced it would comply with the Emergency Care Fairness Act (ECFA). This is a huge victory for the nearly 600,000 veterans who have been waiting for the VA to follow through on its legal obligations to pay for their emergency room costs at non-VA facilities. Last year, I spoke with an elderly South Dakota veteran who fell down in his home in the middle of the night. His wife called 911 and when the ambulance came to get him, he asked to be brought to a VA facility so he wouldn’t have to pay the costly emergency room fees out of his own pocket. He was told that his condition required him to be sent to a non-VA hospital. This veteran was faced with thousands of dollars in medical fees, simply because he wasn’t close enough to a VA facility with the needed medical services. We have a moral obligation, and in this case a legal one, to take proper care of our veterans during and after their service to our country. I was happy that the VA made this long-overdue decision, and I look forward to the department finalizing its rules to comply with this law.

On this Veterans Day, we thank our veterans and their families, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we continue doing what we can to improve the lives of the men and women who bravely served our country. The freedoms we enjoy today are a direct result of the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.

###

Tax Reform: Strong Families. A Strong Future.
By Rep. Kristi Noem 

I met a woman a while back in the grocery store. She had a cart full of groceries and a handful of coupons. As we waited in line, she asked: “Kristi, when is it going to get better?” The cost of those groceries, of healthcare, of childcare – all were going up. But she hadn’t gotten a raise in years.

I’ve been thinking about that young woman a lot lately. She, like so many South Dakota families, faces that financial pinch every day. When will it get better? Earlier this month, we released a once-in-a-generation tax reform package that I’m optimistic will begin to answer that question.

The bill – appropriately named the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – is designed to strengthen families and offer a more optimistic future for all Americans. More specifically, we significantly lower individual tax rates and nearly double the standard deduction. We also simplify the tax code so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard. Think of the stress that would save come tax time!

We also provide unprecedented support for families, increasing the Child Tax Credit to $1,600 per child, eliminating the marriage penalty, preserving the Child Care Credit, and creating a new Family Flexibility Credit.

The Death Tax is fully and completely repealed by 2024, and we double the exemption between now and then. Farmers and ranchers, along with other businesses, will be able to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for agriculture. No changes are made to popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k) or IRA. And we open the door for employers to create more jobs and raise wages by offering a historically low small business tax rate and lowering the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 20 percent.

I know I just threw a lot of numbers at you, so let me explain what it would mean for a typical family. Imagine this: Phil and Kate have two children in middle school. She works at the bank in town; he works for an area farmer. Together, they make $59,000 a year. As a result of the lower tax rates, a significantly larger standard deduction, an enhanced Child Tax Credit and the new Family Flexibility Credit, Phil and Kate would see their total tax bill drop from $1,582 to $400. That’s more money they can use for whatever is important to them, whether it’s paying bills, buying a new fridge, or putting away savings for the future.

Let’s look at another example. Meet Beth. Two years ago, she opened Beth’s Pizza Place. This year, she expects to earn around $62,000 in net income. Under today’s tax code, Beth would pay a little over $8,600 in taxes, but under our plan, her tax bill would fall by more than $3,000, freeing up money to install a new oven or give her employees a little raise.

While nothing will be perfect in everyone’s eyes, I’m optimistic about the impact this package could make in the lives of South Dakotans, including that woman I met in the grocery store. It’s taken years to get to his point, but it’s essential we get this right. For kids about to graduate from college, this could be the tax code they live by for much of their adult lives.

As the first South Dakotan in history to serve on the committee that’s responsible for tax reform, I’m deeply honored to give our state a seat at this table. I was talking with President Trump just after we introduced the bill. His optimism about our plan and commitment to getting it done was beyond encouraging.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will be debated in my committee for a few more weeks before the full House votes on it. If you’d like to follow along or share your thoughts on it, please visit Noem.House.gov/TaxReform

Those Who Administer The Law
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

This week, it was my honor to participate in the investiture of Steven R. Jensen as the newest member of the South Dakota Supreme Court. Justice Jensen is a native of Wakonda and has been a circuit judge in Elk Point for the last 14 years. Rather than come to Pierre, he held his swearing-in ceremony at the USD Law School in Vermillion, so that he could be near to his family, friends and peers in the legal community.

It doesn’t get much attention, but one of the governor’s most important responsibilities is to appoint Supreme Court justices and circuit court judges. Supreme Court justices are always appointed by the governor. Periodic statewide “retention elections” ask voters to choose “yes” or “no” on retaining each justice. Circuit judges are elected to eight-year terms, but very often they retire mid-term, in which case the governor appoints a successor.

For appointments, a screening committee called the Judicial Qualifications Commission screens applicants to ensure that they are qualified. A governor may appoint only from the list of candidates submitted by the Commission. I typically interview between three and five listed candidates for each open position.

Appointing judges has kept me pretty busy over the years. In South Dakota, judges must retire when they turn 70, and they sometimes retire earlier. As in many other professions, the “baby boomers” are reaching retirement age, and many judges have stepped down in recent years. As of today, 28 of South Dakota’s 43 circuit court judges are new since I took office in 2011, and still three more circuit judge positions are soon to be filled.

I have also made three appointments to the South Dakota Supreme Court. My first appointee, Judge Lori Wilbur, was the second woman to serve on the Court when I appointed her in 2011. My second appointee was Janine Kern, who had been a longtime circuit judge in Rapid City.  Justice Wilbur retired earlier this year, and Justice Jensen replaced her. Justice Jensen is the 50th justice to serve on our five-member court.

In addition to justices Wilbur and Kern, a new generation of younger judges has also brought more women to the circuit court bench. Since 2011, the 28 new circuit judges have included 11 women. Women today make up more than one-quarter of the circuit judge positions in the state, and their number continues to increase.

South Dakota’s judges don’t often get much attention, and they don’t seek it. But they play an important role in our society. Whether it is a high-profile murder trial, a child custody case, a million-dollar contract dispute, or a small claim, we look to our judges to administer the law in a fair and speedy manner. South Dakota is fortunate to have so many attorneys who are willing to serve the public in this important role.

-30-

Angie Albonico, the person behind the petitioning effort to legalize assisting suicide in South Dakota, who is partnered with people behind the petitions to legalize recreational and medical pot, recorded a live public Facebook message yesterday afternoon that was very eye opening.

Albanico disclosed in response to whether they had sufficient numbers of signatures that it was “a hard question,” as they were still gathering signatures and were “super close,” which seems to give the indication that the promoters of this triumvirate of ballot measures to legalize drugs and suicide might find that they are not able to turn in sufficient signatures to make the 2018 ballot.

The assisted suicide measure, casually derided among some as “kill grandma” because of the wide-ranging definitions of who can request suicide assistance in the measure has already drawn an active opposition group, while the opponents of the measures that are attempting to legalize pot in the state are taking a wait and see position.

With petition measures being due to be turned in this week, it will likely be sometime next year before the Secretary of State’s office has petitions fully reviewed and it is determined which measures will be on the November 2018 ballot.

From Facebook, if there was ever any doubt over how liberal, and far to the left State Representative Susan Wismer is, let all doubts be removed, as Wismer attacks Kristi Noem’s family story of having to take out a loan when her father was killed in a farming accident, and calls Agriculture “a shill for the aristocracy.”

Thoughts?  Some are privately wondering if this could earn us the first District 1 Republican House seat in a lot of years!

KELOland news just reported that former 2014 US Senate candidate Annette Bosworth has been granted a suspended imposition of sentence in her case from Judge Brown,  which effectively removes her felony convictions from her record.

A Circuit Court Judge has signed off on her suspended imposition of sentence, which means she no longer has any felony convictions on her record.

KELOLAND News got a look at the court papers out of Hughes County today.

In them, it says because Bosworth had never been convicted of a crime, the court would exercise its judicial clemency and suspend imposition of sentence.

and…

As for her medical license, there’ll be a hearing on December 4 in Lincoln County to decide what happens to that.

Bosworth says she’s hopeful it’s going mean her medical license will be reinstated so she can continue practicing medicine.

Read it here.

Gov. Daugaard Orders State Capitol Flags At Half-Staff For Former Rep. Howard Kennedy

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard is ordering flags to fly half-staff at the State Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 4, to honor the life of former state Rep. Howard Kennedy.

Kennedy, of Beresford, represented his district in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1981 to 1992.

Kennedy was 89 years old and passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 31. His memorial service will be held on Saturday at the Beresford Zion United Methodist Church.