Just a few minutes ago, I got a text informing me former legislator and commercial airline pilot Hal Wick is about to embark on his greatest ride into the sky as he succumbed to cancer earlier today.

Hal was first elected to the House in 1976 and last served in the House in 2014. In many ways, Hal embodied the concept of a citizen legislator. He’d come to Pierre serve, “retire,” come back for a few terms, “retire”, come back. He served 20 years and “retired” four times.

Because I was planning to graduate high school mid-year, I was looking for something to do and in Pierre in the winter, being a Legislative intern was ideal. But, I wasn’t yet in college so LRC wasn’t hiring me. Somehow my mom’s college sorority sister and Redfield State Senator Mary McClure found out about these two Junior House members not in leadership who wanted a private intern they’d pay personally out of their own pocket.

So, the night before session started, I went to the King’s Inn and met a lawyer from Kimball named Ron Miller and a Sioux Falls airline pilot named Hal Wick. After Ron told me how he read every bill every night, he would give me his notes and wanted me to type up his amendments. Some of which were clean-up, some of which were substantive, some he submitted, and some he didn’t.

Hal then said he was exactly the opposite. He was not going to know a little bit about everything but had a single focus on State Constitutional and legislative limits on regulations and tax increases. Additionally, he was going to promote a federal Balanced Budget Amendment and to show its viability he was going to point out how our less frugal approach to “federal dollars” was a betrayal of fiduciary to our nation.

While I loved working for Ron Miller and came to appreciate how he was a under-appreciated contributor to good government, what Hal told me sounded like I was going to change the world. It was a great session working for Hal. While other interns were sitting in boring committees, I was over at the State Library pulling economic articles written by Friedman, Laffer, and Hayek and transcripts from Bill Buckley’s PBS show.

The instructions were fuzzy- “I think about 8 years ago, Buckley had this guy on his show and he said something like this. I need the exact quote” or “Milton wrote about this. I need that article.”

At the end of the week, he took everything with him home to write his speeches. They weren’t really speeches but short points prepared to make a single point. For the life of me, I’d look at the calendar and not even imagine when he was going to use the research. But, sure enough, somebody would make an argument that sounded good but was economically unsound. And, when Hal rose to speak, half the body groaned because it wasn’t going to be short and many didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

But Hal didn’t care about being popular. He not only enjoyed a bit of his gadfly status, Hal was convinced he was saying what needed to be said. So he said it and said it and said it. And, I was so proud to be his intern.

And, the next year when I was at Augustana, I ran into Hal he told me wasn’t running again. Ronald Reagan was President and all he had to say was better said by Reagan. Plus, I think he just didn’t like the process of legislating. It wasn’t like flying Boeing 707’s. This was the first time I had a glimpse of Hal’s humility. He could walk away and it didn’t matter.

So, after I moved to Sioux Falls in 1993 (13 years after he first retired), I was surprised when he told me he was going to run again. He won in 1994 and began his off and on period of serving until he retired for what ended up being for good in 2014. As he and I lived in the same district, I teased him I expect him to serve again until they put him in the nursing home.

Now, with that background, I want to tell you about what I know about the man I knew.

Hal Wick was a very simple man.

• He loved his wife, Jane, and family. My dad was absent but Hal was one of the men who showed me what a husband and father was supposed to be.
• He loved his God and took his faith seriously. I don’t think I ever heard him try to sell a public policy by invoking God but I do remember him telling me integrity was about having a unified life. Not just being against abortion, Hal believed every policy he advocated was a brick in building God’s kingdom on earth.
• He was a good friend. During my darkest period, Hal Wick checked in on me and told me he was praying for me. I heard that a lot but with Hal’s simple integrity, I knew it was true.

Probably because his confidence in his brilliant intellect and copious research (which probably is also why he was a pilot), Hal struggled with humility. The first thing he asked me after every speech was “What came across as arrogant.” How many people do you know who know their weakness and work hard to overcome it? I can tell you not many in politics aspire to humility but Hal Wick did.

In addition to missing Jane when he served, I think it is his pursuit of his personal holiness “required” him to step away from politics. I think that is what he meant after one of his “retirements” when he told me his not being in the Legislature is “better for me.” Hal certainly loved politics, serving in the Legislature but it wasn’t who he was. Hal Wick is a child of God, a husband and a father. It was a privilege to have had him to look up to since I met him 39 years go.

With sadness, Hal now joins Bill Grams, Harold Halverson, and Joe Barnett on my personal Legislature Mt. Rushmore. May the soul of Hal G. Wick, by the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace.

Attorney General Marty Jackley’s office sent out a trio of press releases today on the Attorney General joining legal challenges against the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, against a challenge to States’ authority to limit dismemberment abortions, and to ask Congress to Support Victims of Child Pornography.

You can read all the releases in the window below:

Jackley Joins Challenges by Pat Powers on Scribd

Noem Showcases Experience in First Statewide Ad Campaign

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kristi Noem today announced a statewide radio, television, and online advertising campaign. The 60-second ad, which is set to begin running Friday, highlights her experience as a farmer, rancher, business owner, mother, and conservative policymaker.

“Ask people about Kristi Noem and they’ll tell you: She embodies South Dakota,” explains the narrator. “She grew up on her family’s farm and ranch, doing the jobs that build character. A farmer, rancher and small business owner, Kristi passed that same strong work ethic on to her three children. In Congress, Kristi’s taken a no nonsense, conservative approach to problem solving, making every decision with South Dakota families in mind.”

Noem grew up in rural Hamlin County. When her father died in a farming accident, she returned home to run the family’s ag operation. In the years that followed, Noem opened a hunting lodge, helped manage her mother’s restaurant, and owned an insurance business with her husband.

In 2006, Noem was elected to the state legislature and in her second term was chosen by her colleagues as Assistant Majority Leader.

In 2010, South Dakotans elected Noem to serve as the state’s lone representative in the U.S. House. Promising to serve less than a decade, Noem got to work, passing a five-year Farm Bill, reducing regulations, reversing the Democrats’ spending splurge to save nearly $1 trillion, and working with President Trump to enact historic tax cuts. In President Trump’s words, he and Noem were “warriors together” in the battle to enact a tax reform package that left more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans.

That experience has prepared Noem to lead South Dakota, reduce violent crime, improve our schools, and grow the state’s economy to keep the best and brightest in South Dakota. Click to view the ad: https://youtu.be/0kDHkifsNVo

Looks like Cyberbullying is now improper conduct by lawmakers. From the Argus Leader:

South Dakota lawmakers on Thursday voted to outlaw cyberbullying among their ranks.

The Joint Legislative Procedure Committee voted unanimously to expand their rules barring harassment or offensive behavior to include electronic communication and social media.

and…

Mickelson said the measure wasn’t aimed at any situation in particular, but to prevent problems in the future.

Read it here.

How long do you think it’s going to be before someone gets zapped on that one?

Apparently, there’s a new entrant into the Congressional race.  From the Brandon Valley Newspaper:

According to his web site, here’s a partial list of reasons why he’s running:

I am declaring my candidacy for the US House of Representatives to give a voice to the people of South Dakota.  A voice that will represent the values, integrity, morality and character of the people that makes up this great State.  Of course “Job One” will be to look out for the best interests of our State.  Beyond that, I will work diligently to get this country back on track according to our mid-western values, while at the same time endeavoring to ensure our rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Our Constitution is under attack like never before.  The First Amendment only seems to work for the Liberals in many cases these days.  Conservative speakers are no longer welcome to speak at some of our major universities and other venues as well.  So, no opposing view and therefore no forum for civilized reason.  It is even worse with the Second Amendment.  Every time there is a horrible shooting in this country it is the “gun” that did it.  There is little said in the media about solving the real problems like violent movies, video games, mental illness, poor parenting and other social ills.

As stated, Job 1 for me is South Dakota. In the case of the United States leadership, Job 1 for the President and the Congress is National Security. I pledge to support National Security and the required means to achieve it. This includes walls on our boarders as needed for security, human trafficking, drugs and fair commerce.

As your US House Representative I will give my full support to President Trump in his effort to “Drain the Swamp.” Bureaucrats need to be productive and efficient. All Federal employees, regardless of their lofty office need to be held accountable to the citizens of this country and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law when they act against it. I will also fight to end Obama Care and to repeal Executive Orders that were made to circumvent Congress. Immigration reform is a high priority.

Read it all here.

We have 19 days to see if he’s able to collect enough signatures to make the ballot.  (Put me in the doubting thomas category).

Rounds: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act Will Strengthen America’s Financial System, Expand Economic Opportunities

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor in support of the bipartisan Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, of which he is an original cosponsor. This legislation, which includes seven of Rounds’ provisions, will provide much-needed regulatory relief to community banks and credit unions, whose ability to serve their customers has been made more difficult since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010.

“Just in the last year, we enacted historic tax reform, we’ve undone burdensome and unnecessary regulations at a record pace, and we’re restoring the American people’s confidence at levels not seen in decades,” said Rounds in his speech. “Making sure American families and businesses have access to credit when they need it is critical as we work to further grow our economy and create jobs. The ‘Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act’ will strengthen America’s financial system and expand economic opportunities across the country, especially in rural areas, which are often the most underserved.”

Noem Campaign Website Gets New Look

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kristi Noem today relaunched KristiForGovernor.com with a new look and more features to ensure South Dakotans can easily and intuitively access policy documents, news and more.

“Our website is our front office,” said Noem. “And the door is always open! The bottom line is that South Dakotans deserve to know exactly who they’re voting for and what that person’s vision is for the state. We’ve designed this website to share that information in a transparent and accessible way. For those who agree with what they see, the site provides plenty of opportunities to get involved and help share our vision with friends and family.”

For more information, please visit KristiForGovernor.com

Noem, Walberg Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Pregnant Women

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Kristi Noem (SD-AL) and Tim Walberg (MI-07) today introduced H.R. 5194, the Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act, to strengthen protections for pregnant women in the workplace. The legislation modernizes the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 by clarifying that a pregnant worker should be treated the same as a non-pregnant worker who may have a temporary disability and is therefore unable to perform certain duties.

“South Dakota has one of the nation’s highest rates of working moms,” said Rep. Noem. “I firmly believe we need to do more to strengthen families, a mission that begins from the very beginnings of parenthood. Expectant mothers ought to be given some level of flexibility during their pregnancy so they can continue working and supporting their families. I’m proud that our legislation takes a balanced approach, protecting mothers and strengthening families without imposing duplicative burdens on their employers.”

“The Pregnancy Discrimination Act has been offering important safeguards for 40 years, and we need to remove any ambiguity in the law to ensure expecting mothers can continue to count on these protections,” said Rep. Walberg. “Our bill empowers working women, promotes workplace flexibility, and protects against discrimination and unequal treatment in the workplace.”

The legislation provides much-needed protections in light of a recent Supreme Court decision, Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc., where the Justices wrote an unclear opinion related to a central provision of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.  Because of this, further clarification of the law is needed, which the Noem-Walberg legislation provides.

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South Dakota Right to Life President Dr. Fred Deutsch offers the following column in response to a February 26th Article by Dana Ferguson appearing in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, which Dr. Deutsch contends contains questionable statements and misrepresented the nature and provisions of the bill. Fred offered a response to the Argus Leader, but indicates that they refused to print it, and that the Argus “stands by Dana Ferguson’s reporting” and “won’t be running this response.”

Today, the Governor signed the bill into law.  And we have Fred’s response for your consideration:

On February 26, 2018, the Argus Leader published an article written by Dana Ferguson.

That article, from beginning to end, contains false statements of fact and completely misrepresents the nature and provisions of South Dakota’s S110 bill.

The bill establishes that the abortion industry in SD uses biased practices when it comes to compliance with current informed consent law and lays out numerous findings of fact about the many ways the industry is not in compliance.

Because people have inquired about that article I write to set the record straight.

Ferguson, throughout the article, promotes the false inference that S110 creates new requirements for Planned Parenthood. It does not.

Further, she does not identify the one single thing the statute actually does, which is to expand previously authorized counseling for pregnant mothers at registered pregnancy help centers. We believe this law is necessary because Planned Parenthood continues to fail to comply with South Dakota’s 2005 Informed Consent Laws, the decisions of the Federal Courts, and the orders of the Federal Courts.

Some history is helpful here.

In 2005, South Dakota believed it was essential to the rights of a pregnant mother to know that “the life of a whole, separate, unique human being” would be terminated with an abortion. The legislature passed legislation requiring abortion providers inform women of this fact. This is referred to as the Human Being Disclosure. Planned Parenthood refused to obey the disclosure law. After six and a half years of litigation, which Planned Parenthood lost, and after a court expressly directing them to use the exact language of the statute, Planned Parenthood continues to refuse to make an accurate and proper Human Being Disclosure.

In 2011, South Dakota passed an Anti-Coercion Statute. This bill was passed because there was strong evidence that many pregnant mothers were being pressured or coerced into having abortions they did not want.

The statute was designed to protect the women from unwanted coercion to have an abortion. Among the provisions in the statute was the requirement that no one could schedule an abortion except a physician, and only after the physician first met with the mother and performed preliminary screening.

Further, the 2011 Anti-Coercion Statute prohibited the doctor from scheduling the abortion in less than seventy-two hours after the screening. Planned Parenthood sued over that statute as well, lost in court, and the seventy-two hour wait period went into effect about four years ago.

Prior to that wait period going into effect, every woman who went to Planned Parenthood was subjected to an abortion. In the first two years in which state statistics are available, 15% of the pregnant mothers who met with a physician for the initial screening did not come back for the second appointment and did not have the abortion. Thus, seventy-five women each year, given the chance to resist unwanted pressures, have kept the children they wanted.

Still, Planned Parenthood persisted with ongoing litigation, and in 2012 the eleven judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals held that the Suicide Disclosure component of the law (that “an abortion places a woman at increased risk for suicide ideation and suicide”), was truthful, accurate, non-misleading and relevant to the decision of the pregnant mother.

Despite the Court decisions and Court orders, Planned Parenthood’s current disclosure forms flatly state that there is no such risk. That is not only a violation of the law and the Court’s orders, but is negligent conduct which violates the rights of the pregnant mother to make an informed decision before consenting to a procedure which is fatal for her child, and one that terminates her own constitutionally protected relationship with her child.

Due to ongoing disregard to disclosure requirements, S110 was introduced to simply allow registered pregnancy centers like the Alpha Center in Sioux Falls to provide the counseling that Planned Parenthood has refused to provide. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 27-8 in the Senate and 56-9 in the House. Today, as I write this, it was signed by the Governor.

The state has chosen not to punish Planned Parenthood for its dereliction of duty under the Informed Consent Law. It has, instead, chosen to further assist the women by helping provide compassionate counseling by counselors who are sensitive to women who value their relationship with their children.

Ferguson’s article appears to be little more than Planned Parenthood waging a public relations campaign on matters which have no substance and on matters they know have been resolved by the Courts.

Fred Deutsch, DC
President, South Dakota Right to Life

Speaking of endorsements…

In the race for Attorney General, State Senator Lance Russell today picked up the endorsement of his  somewhat controversial fellow State Senator Stace Nelson.

On the Republican side of the aisle, Russell will face Jason Ravnsborg, who has announced the endorsement of many of South Dakota’s County Sheriffs, Lawrence County State’s Attorney John Fitzgerald (who has been endorsed by Whitewood Councilman Jerry Davidson), and Deputy Attorney General Charles McGuigan.

The Republican candidate for the office will be chosen at the Republican State Convention to be held in Pierre this coming June.