The recall (and saga) of Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph continues as the city has had an injunction filed against it, and it appears that things are going to drag out while they have a hearing on the whole matter, according to the Black Hills Pioneer:
Deadwood city commissioners were unable to set a special election date Tuesday for the recall of Commissioner Blake Joseph after Judge Eric Strawn of the 4th Circuit Court signed a temporary restraining order earlier that morning, ordering city officials to take no further action on the petition until after a hearing currently scheduled for Dec. 11.
Embattled Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph from Facebook
Sara Frankenstein, of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, and Ashmore, LLP, of Rapid City, was retained by the city’s insurance carrier to represent the city in the lawsuit. Frankenstein said she has specialized in election law for 24 years.
and..
Fourteen people attended the meeting online and another 20 people attended in-person. Three people spoke out against Joseph’s alleged misconduct in office, citing intimidation through social media, crimes in office, and creating an atmosphere of fear of retaliation.
“No one should fear being attacked simply for participating in local government or expressing their opinion,” said Sianna Gross, Deadwood resident. “I am standing up here today to reaffirm, publicly, that retaliation, intimidation, misuse of courts or social media attacks, will not be tolerated in this city, and to let all of you know that you aren’t alone. We deserve leadership that serves, not threatens the community.”
and..
..In an email later in the day, Joseph said, “Deadwood is suffering from a lot of dilemmas, and thankfully democracy is transparent when it comes to a referendum and we are following the status quo of South Dakota law. What bothers me most with our current affairs is that the homeless rate has skyrocketed from well above 10% and we have not gained any leeway on parking or family related topic. Where is the “traffic calming” I called for last spring?“
Thune: Democrats Block Bipartisan Defense Bill to Pay Our Troops
“If anything was needed to demonstrate just how fundamentally uninterested Democrats are in supporting our troops – and defending our country – just take a look at this vote!”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) yesterday delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:
I had heard that Deputy State Treasurer Jason Williams was departing that office, but it’s official now according to open.sd.gov. Williams, who had previously been at the Secretary of State’s office, and served as Deputy Treasurer coming in with Josh Haeder, has now moved on to an exempt position with the Attorney General’s office, where his salary is set at $117,023.90 annually according to the open government website.
So, what’s happening in the Treasurer’s office to fill Williams’ old role?
I have it on good authority that while an official press release is coming out in the near future, former Rounds Senate Campaign press secretary Mitch Krebs has been tapped to fill the position.
This is even more interesting that Willams’ departure, as with 14 months left, current State Treasurer Josh Haeder has reached the end of his ability to run because of term limits. Williams who was going to run for the office has obviously shifted gears.
And there is no one who is seeking the position. As far as we know. Maybe that’s changing with Krebs taking over as #2?
South Dakota Searchlight has an article tonight confirming that the sustainable jet fuel project that was destined for Lake Preston is now moving to North Dakota.
They’ll hold onto the land, for an unspecified future date, but at the end of the day, South Dakota managed to blow up our billion dollar value added agriculture project:
Colorado-based Gevo had obtained a $1.46 billion loan through the U.S. Department of Energy to build a jet fuel plant at Lake Preston, South Dakota. Company officials told the North Dakota Monitor on Thursday that it instead will push ahead with making jet fuel at the Richardton, North Dakota, ethanol plant it bought last year. Gevo is working with the Department of Energy to transfer the loan to expand the North Dakota site.
and..
Gevo plans to expand the North Dakota ethanol plant, which turns corn into fuel. It would convert the ethanol into higher-value aviation fuel in a process it calls alcohol to jet. Carbon capture is a key part of making sustainable aviation fuel.
and..
But the Gevo officials said the demand for sustainable aviation fuel meant the company could not wait for the Summit pipeline. Summit had hoped to be operating in 2024 but has yet to start construction as it tries to secure all the permits it needs.
“We can’t sit around for that,” Gruber said. “We’ve got a mission here.”
Had some interesting information passed my way about a Real Estate transaction that took place in Lawrence County in August. Which, among several things, it could mean that there’s a potential for an opening in the District 3 legislative races in 2026.
I’m told that there was a Real Estate transaction involving a Republican Party official who sold a property to an LLC a short time ago. Specifically, SDGOP National Committeewoman Heidi Engelhart is said to have sold lot 17A, Block 1 Apple Springs (Lawrence County) on Aug 28th to an entity called “Cozy Cabin, LLC.”
Why do we care? Well, if you look at who Cozy Cabin, LLC is, you quickly realize that it has to do with Toby Doeden’s favorite renter, as hers is the name on this brand new Limited Liability Corporation that was filed with the Secretary of State in late July:
So, it appears that an entity whose organizer and registered agent is District 3’s State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer purchased this “Cozy Cabin” in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Given that for her legislative/home residence she’s currently renting her residence in District 3 from Gubernatorial wannabe Toby Doeden, a property purchase in another district is kind of big news, because the implications are in part that she might pack up her legislative lemonade stand to establish residence elsewhere.
Yes, I know it could just be a Black Hills rental/vacation property. Absolutely possible. But, just as possible that since she’s currently living in rental housing, she may decide to live in the property her LLC owns which would put her out of running in District 3, leaving an open seat.
Of course, considering I’m hearing of multiple sightings of Brandei hanging out in Aberdeen and elsewhere in the state with a former newscaster who pled no contest to assaulting his last girlfriend, the fact that she’s buying in his home territory kind of makes the whole “Cozy Cabin” thing sound… well, less than cozy.
Johnson Announces “Data Centers Done Right” Initiative
Sioux Falls, S.D. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced the “Data Centers Done Right” initiative.
“President Trump has called for an ‘era of American AI dominance.’ We cannot allow China or others to dominate artificial intelligence, and there is a role for South Dakota in that race,” said Johnson. “As Governor, I will ensure that data centers constructed in South Dakota make our state stronger. South Dakota can reduce property taxes and be a national leader in the AI revolution, but only if we have vision, drive, and a plan. With the ‘Data Centers Done Right’ initiative, we can make sure our state is home to data centers that make our electrical grid, water supply, quality of life, and economy stronger. Only projects that contribute more than they take will be eligible.”
Currently, South Dakota is not a competitive location for data centers because the state’s taxes on data centers are significantly higher than in other states. In fact, South Dakota is one of only two states in the region that charge taxes on electronic equipment. State law currently allows an optional rebate of those taxes, but the lack of certainty on that tax treatment has driven projects elsewhere.
Johnson’s “Data Centers Done Right” initiative will convert the current permissive tax rebate on electronic equipment to a standard rebate or exemption for eligible projects which meet certain requirements. Key requirements include:
Power Use Protections—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that the project “will not impose an undue burden on existing electric users” in South Dakota.
Water Use Protections—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that the project “will not impose an undue burden on water quality or existing water users” in South Dakota.
Tax Benefits—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that even after the rebate is granted, the project “would pay substantial property taxes to county, school, and other local governments,” and “would pay substantial sales taxes to state government” over the course of the next five years.
Job Benefits—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that the project “will create jobs with an average total compensation greater than the average total compensation of hourly workers in that area.”
Once implemented, the “Data Centers Done Right” initiative could result in the construction of AI factories that collectively pay more than $200 million in property taxes to state and local governments over the next 10 years. Data centers are a critical component of AI dominance, and when sited correctly, they provide tremendous benefit to local communities. For example, an AI data center proposed for Deuel County would pay an estimated $5 million in property taxes annually. The current annual budget for Deuel County is $11 million, and the budget for the Deubrook School District is $3.4 million.
Over the next few months, Johnson will work with South Dakotans, including state legislators like Representative Kent Roe, to develop additional details and legislative language needed to make “Data Centers Done Right” a reality.
Jackley Shatters SD Congressional Fundraising Record: Raised more than double his opponents combined
Pierre: Today, Attorney General Marty Jackley filed his first quarterly campaign finance report for Congress reporting $525,760 raised with $503,279 cash on hand, shattering the record- raising 155% more than any other candidate in South Dakota has raised for their first fundraising quarter in a campaign for the House of Representatives.
The other four candidates who have filed with the FEC to run for Congress in South Dakota raised less than $250,000 combined for the fundraising quarter. Over 95% of Jackley’s contributions came from individual South Dakotans.
Jackley continues to build strong momentum and is the clear favorite in the race for Congress. The record-breaking fundraising quarter proves Jackley has overwhelming support from all corners of South Dakota. Recent polling also shows Jackley with a 43 point lead over his opponent in the Republican Primary.
“I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received across South Dakota,” said Jackley. “I am the proven conservative in this race that has and will always place America and South Dakota first. I will work with President Trump to strengthen our economy, secure our borders, rebuild our national defense, reduce the size of government, and cut taxes for hard-working Americans.”
“I will also work with President Trump, Leader Thune, and Senator Rounds to prevent future government shutdowns and get Washington working for the people again,” said Jackley.
Senator Thune posted an incredible $723,993.10 raised over the last quarter, which includes $343k of just interest. Which tells you how strong his fundraising has been over the years, combined with opponents inability to challenge him on his own turf. Against this total, the Senator notes expenditures of $273,460.15, leaving him with a massive $16,685,079.77 cash on hand.
There’s a reason nobody wants to take him on in South Dakota politics – aside from the fact the Senator is respected and very well liked in South Dakota, a person would have to be independently wealthy to even try it.
Money in politics isn’t everything. But it doesn’t hurt.
Senator Mike Rounds today posted a BIG influx of cash to his campaign for the quarter, coming on the heels of the Trump endorsement he received earlier this year:
South Dakota’s junior Senator had a very good fundraising quarter, posting $580,335.92 in receipts for the quarter, against $265,096.82 in expenses, leaving Rounds with $2,818,416.66 for the campaign.
Rounds is only facing minor opposition at this point, and that’s not likely to change with Justin Mcneal’s possible entry into a primary contest. But it should help with Rounds’ early fundraising in preparation for the fall.
