A Peaceful Transition of Power
by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Every four years after a presidential election, Americans from all corners of the country flock to Washington, D.C., to attend the incoming president’s inauguration ceremony. At noon on January 20, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump becomes President Donald Trump, after he is administered the oath of office by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. 

The oath of office of the President of the United States is only 35 words long, and is stated in the United States Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The first president to take the presidential oath was George Washington at his inauguration on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City, the temporary seat of government at that time. 

President Washington also set the precedent of delivering an inaugural address following his swearing-in ceremony, a tradition that has led to some of the most renowned quotes from our presidents. Washington swore to preserve “the sacred fire of liberty” and uphold the “Republican model of Government.” Other famous lines from inaugural addresses include John F. Kennedy’s “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” and Ronald Reagan’s “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” These remarks continue to inspire Americans today. 

The entire ceremony takes place on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, as it has since 1981. Attendees fill the National Mall from the Capitol steps to the Washington Monument, all to catch a glimpse of living history. Following the swearing-in and inaugural address, an inaugural parade and numerous balls take place throughout Washington, D.C. 

While January 20th is the official day the president takes office, months of preparation have gone into the planning of the inauguration ceremony and official events, such as the parade and the formal balls. Since 1901, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has been in charge of setting up the swearing-in ceremonies. Thousands of men and women have been working behind the scenes to plan the ceremony and make sure the Capitol remains secure. I’d like to thank them for their hard work, as well as all the members of the law enforcement community who have been putting in long hours leading up to inauguration weekend. Their job protecting the attendees at the inauguration is incredibly difficult, and their dedication to the security of the attendees is deserving of praise. Without their commitment, this very special day for our nation could not run as effortlessly and with the dignity it deserves.  

In his inaugural speech, Thomas Jefferson said, “But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle…We are all republicans. We are all federalists.” His wise words ring true today. Though we may disagree with one another on certain policies, we are all Americans, and our presidential inaugurations reflect a decidedly American ideal: the peaceful transition of power from one administration to the next.   

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Path Forward for Trafficking Survivors
By Rep. Kristi Noem

I’ve heard stories like this many times over, even from within South Dakota:  A young woman falls behind on rent or faces other financial straits.  Someone steps in to help, but the apparent act of kindness comes with certain strings attached. It might begin as a requirement to just “hang out.” Perhaps they begin to date.  But then, the threats come – both physical and emotional.  A financial reliance has been established – perhaps a drug or alcohol addiction as well – so it’s difficult to find a way out.  Within months, maybe even weeks, a supposed friend becomes the victim’s trafficker. 

The manipulative control persists, often resulting in multiple run-ins with the law.  Many victims are arrested, brought up on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, prostitution or drug trafficking.  Even if they’re able to escape the horrors of trafficking, these criminal records can chain them to their past and leave them vulnerable to being exploited or trafficked again.

According to a recent survey by the National Survivor Network, around 80 percent of trafficking survivors surveyed had lost or not received employment because of their criminal convictions. Around half had suffered from barriers to accessing housing.  Trafficking survivors deserve a fair shot at rebuilding their lives, but that’s difficult when housing, employment, and education are out of reach.

With this in mind, I helped introduce the bipartisan Trafficking Survivors Relief Act earlier this year.  This legislation would create a process in which trafficking survivors with non-violent federal offenses could ask a judge to free them of their records, vacating arrests or convictions that were a direct result of being trafficked.  I’m hopeful this legislation will help relieve survivors of the past, open doors for them, and offer a path forward where healing can begin. 

If enacted, this bill would build on our accomplishments from last Congress where we passed one of the most comprehensive anti-trafficking packages seen in a decade.  The legislation allocated more resources for survivors, offered more tools to go after traffickers and buyers, and put policies in place to prevent trafficking.

The mission to end human trafficking is one that each of us can participate in. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the signs of human trafficking.  Is someone you know not free to come or go as they wish? Are they fearful, anxious, tense or paranoid?  Do they appear malnourished or show signs of abuse? Do they lack control over their own money or financial records?  These are just some of the indicators a victim may exhibit.  To learn more, I encourage you to visit humantraffickinghotline.org.

Additionally, if you or someone you care about is being trafficked or at risk, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline immediately at 1-888-373-7888.  Correspondence with the National Hotline is confidential and you may request assistance or report a tip anonymously.  

Those who have been trafficked should be treated as survivors, not criminals.  I’m hopeful our latest proposal can help clear the path for them to rebuild their lives. 

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Taking On The Meth Problem
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

I recently heard a story about a young man who was exposed to meth as a child. The young man, named Chris, grew up around meth and the violence that the drug brings. Like any normal kid, he wanted attention from the adults in his life. But while most kids are trying to gain approval by getting good grades, making the basketball team or winning a role in the school play, at 12 years old Chris began to use and deal meth to receive that attention. Using and dealing led Chris to get into fights and to start stealing. At age 17, Chris overdosed.

Meth is a problem in South Dakota. Like other states, we are seeing an increase in methamphetamine trafficking and more meth-related arrests and convictions. To address the epidemic, we need to stop meth from coming into our state, prevent meth use and help those who are addicted.

I am joining with the attorney general to propose a joint drug interdiction task force, comprised of four new Highway Patrol officers, joined by designated agents of the Division of Criminal Investigation.

The attorney general and the Department of Social Services are also both focused on educating young people about meth, and a legislative interim committee considered this issue as well. Starting this year, the managers of state anti-meth programs will meet regularly to coordinate these efforts and maximize their impact.

For those who are on probation or parole, I am proposing measures to reinforce good behavior and to punish bad behavior. We will establish a mandatory sanction of required jail time for anyone on probation or parole who fails a drug test. This will guarantee swift and certain sanctions for offenders who choose to use drugs. Conversely, to help those who are already addicted to meth, I am proposing we incentivize effective completion of treatment. We will allow supervision to be terminated early for parolees and probationers who stay clean, complete treatment and don’t violate the terms of their supervision for at least a year. Offenders who complete all court-ordered treatment within one year will be given one opportunity to reduce a drug possession or ingestion charge from a felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor. This option would only be available once for each offender.

I am also recommending grants to expand HOPE 24/7 Probation to all counties. HOPE 24/7 is similar to the successful 24/7 program for alcohol offenders. HOPE 24/7 has been implemented in ten counties, and provides intensive probation and treatment for serious drug offenders, who are required to take random drug tests to ensure that they stay clean.

Meth is an extremely addictive drug that ruins homes and destroys lives. Meth changes brain functions and affects the central nervous system. Those who use the drug may experience paranoia, delusions, severe tooth decay and skin sores. Trying meth just once can lead to death.

Thankfully, the young man I described is still with us, and he has been sober for a year now. When Chris moved to South Dakota, he was arrested for having drugs in his vehicle and placed in the juvenile justice system. That is where his journey to recovery began.

These reforms have the potential to help those who, like Chris, enter the criminal justice system because of a drug addiction. There will be more opportunities for offenders to receive help and fight the vicious family cycle of drug abuse. The proposals will save our taxpayers money, make our communities safer and, ultimately, bring more South Dakotans to begin the journey to recovery.

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There was an interesting detail in the Wollmann matter that’s being taken up in the State House right now that’s escaped attention, but had a mention in at least one of the news articles. 

What was the detail? That State Senator Stace Nelson has direct involvement in the accusations:

Wollmann said he decided to come forward after he was approached Tuesday by a television station and asked about the situation. Qualm said Wollmann discussed the issue with him and in the House Republican caucus.

Qualm said he was first informed and started looking into the process of what lawmakers should do after an email in recent days from Republican Sen. Stace Nelson.

Read that all here.

Why is this an important footnote? Because Nelson’s actions would seem to be for a reason:

This is a postcard that Wollmann sent out against Nelson, after the actions of Nelson and his supporters in what was arguably one of the dirtiest campaigns in recent history, where Wollmann chided the opposition for dirty attacks on a young person who returned to his hometown to run for office.

With Nelson noted by Qualm as the accuser that had him looking into it, it certainly flavors a reason for the accusations.

Congresswoman Kristi Noem and US Senator Mike Rounds address the group gathered at the South Dakota State Society event on the eve of the inaugural in Washington DC.

Secretary of Treasury Nominee Shares Thune’s Vision for Pro-Growth Economic Policies

“Keep that focus on growth – we’ve got to get that growth rate back up.” – Sen. Thune

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, today questioned President-elect Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the treasury, Steven Mnuchin. Thune highlighted his priorities for the next secretary of the treasury, which include comprehensive tax reform and increasing economic growth. Mnuchin shared Thune’s vision for pro-growth economic policy, and Thune received Mnuchin’s commitment to work with him on these issues. 

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The New York Daily News, as well as a number of other news outlets, are reporting that  – despite letting a lot of other people who endangered lives in this country walk free – there’s one killer who should be kept locked up:

More commutations are expected from President Obama on his last day in office, but one high-profile name will not be on the list — jailed Native American activist Leonard Peltier.

The 72-year-old who was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting deaths of two FBI agents in 1975 will not get a commutation from President Obama despite a well-coordinated campaign from supporters that included Pope Francis himself.

and…

The Department of Justice dashed the hopes of Peltier, his family and supporters in a terse email sent to his lawyer Wednesday afternoon.

“The application for commutation of sentence of your client, Mr. Leonard Peltier, was carefully considered in this Department and the White House, and the decision was reached that favorable action is not warranted. Your client’s application was therefore denied by the President on January 18, 2017,” it said.

Read it here.

And here’s a rare opportunity to say “Good job, President Obama. You did the right thing.”

I was texting with newly installed Representative (and former Brookings Mayor) Tim Reed last night, as I’m always curious what those who are experiencing the process from the inside for the first time think about the sausage making process we call the South Dakota State Legislature.

I asked Tim – So, how is the session going? I’d love your impressions as a new legislator. His response:

I’m glad we have started to deal with issues that directly affect citizens. I tire of all the more political issues that is dominating discussions.

Those issues will need to be addressed but I enjoy voting on bills today (even if I was in the minority) and in the future that matter.

The procedure seems to take an inordinate amount of time at the onset of a new session, and shouldn’t be so bad this year. Although, as I noted, the legislature is arguably not going to be as productive this year, since we’re mired down in silliness.

I just caught this on Facebook, and thought I’d share it for those who knew Andrea way back when. I was acquainted with her from her time up in the legislature while I was working for the Party, as her Mom Mary Wagner was a State Senator, as well as around the SDSU campus on occasion when I returned to school (Her Dad was University President Robert Wagner), and I’d even run into her once in a blue moon at session:

Andrea Radke, 55, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2017 at Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Irene, SD surrounded by her loving family.

Andrea Wagner was born July 2, 1961 in Sioux Falls, SD.  Her early years were spent in Watertown, South Dakota.  Her family later moved to Brookings where she graduated from Brookings High School in 1979.  After graduation, Andrea attended Mankato State University where she studied Journalism and Mass Communications.  After receiving her undergraduate degree from Mankato State, she eventually went on to earn a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland.  This was one of Andrea’s proudest accomplishments.   After graduating from Maryland, Andrea worked for the South Dakota Municipal League in Pierre, South Dakota.  One of her duties was being a legislative lobbyist where she met many life-long friends and acquaintances.  In 1991, Andrea moved to Sioux Falls and worked for Voyageur Asset Management.

and..

Andrea was active in politics.  She helped manage her mother’s State Senate Campaign.  She also worked on Senator Jim Abdnor’s United States Senate race.  Andrea also loved to travel.  She was up for almost any adventure.  Andrea was a member of Westward Ho Country Club.  She was an avid golfer.  She made sure that her children were introduced to the game as well.  One of Andrea’s most cherished pastimes was driving Erin and Lee to junior golf tournaments.  Andrea was extremely proud of her children’s golf accomplishments.

On November 12, 2004, the day Andrea’s beloved mother passed from this earth after a short and unexpected illness, Andrea was befallen by a tragic and unexpected heart ailment which permanently left her with a severe brain injury. For the past 1 2 years, God has been holding Andrea in his loving arms until she could finally go to heaven to join her mother, father, friends and loved ones.

Read it all here.

Andrea was a truly nice person. May her family be at peace.