We’re out of session, so it must be time for summer vacation. Especially for a number of legislators who have signed up for a “South Dakota Legislative White House Fly-In in Washington DC, from August 10-12, 2026.”
I mean, I don’t think it’s going to be a Spencer Gosch Hawaiian cliff-diving level soiree. But it’s a junket nonetheless. I’m informed taxpayers are covering the flights for legislators, the Leadership Institute is handling hotels for some, and there may be yet-to be disclosed corporate sponsors for meals.
But even more interesting, while I’m told the trip had been mentioned in passing since March, the word is that legislators finally got the sign-up in early-July. The first notice since session was fully 1-MONTH AFTER several had lost the primary. So, they are well aware they’re not coming back, as are the people in charge of the chambers who sign off.
And while they are requiring White House clearance for a visit there – TWO of the attendees are currently facing felony charges in court:
John “California” Carley? – He lost. And suddenly his fiscal conservatism evaporates in the face of a free vacation to Washington DC. Same thing with Carl Perry. Curt Voight got tossed out, yet he’s on the freebie list. Terri Jorgenson is a nice lady, but why is she going? Neither Les Heinemann nor Julie Auch are running for the legislature, but they want their ‘bennie.’
And then we have the legislators facing felony charges in South Dakota. Travis Ismay, for what is said to be him deciding to do his own road work and Tom Pischke, who is alleged to have filed false election documents. Do the conditions of their bond restrict out of state travel? Because they need to check.
What’s the important subject matter where we’re paying for lame ducks to go to Washington? Aside from the White House visit, I’m told the Leadership Institute is going to give a presentation on campaigning and social media. Yes, we’re paying money to send people who will not be coming back next year to go to Washington to meet with the White House, and to learn how to do social media.
I would wager this isn’t going to come up in Taffy Howard’s next GOAC meeting. In fact, I notice that FIVE members of GOAC – FULLY HALF OF THEM – including Taffy are on the flight. And they’re not asking the question about lame duck legislators going out to Washington on the taxpayer’s dime?
Isn’t fiscal conservatism great?
Update: So, how does this work? Just had a note from a House member:
For your article, none of the house even knew about the event, at all, until July despite the Senate knowing since session.
That is, unless they only told their minions, and withheld it from the rest on purpose. Which is entirely possible.
Is Carl Perry going so he can take a nap at the White House?
If this doesn’t piss you off, congratulations you’re a Democrat. Pischke and Ismay – give me a freaking break! Get these guys off the tax payer dime, immediately!
Democrats don’t like wasteful spending either. Your problem is that they don’t consider Head Start and school lunches and indoor plumbing “wasteful.”
grudznick considers indoor plumbing a frivolous luxury, nice, but not necessary. Kids need those skills.
Fair.
I went to the White House four times via invite. None of these were taxpayer funded. I informed leadership each time. Three were for meetings with WH staff and other legislators. I brought back actual legislation and ideas The last was the 2024 WH Christmas party. I hope none of these expenses are covered via the legislative budget.
Per Aberdeen mayor Travis Schaunaman Carl is having surgery today.
Sorry, Dems also pissed.
What is the stated purpose of this fly-in that couldn’t be accomplished in a zoom call?
That’s quite the investment…in people who won’t even be around to apply what they’re learning.
Even more interesting, half of GOAC is reportedly on the trip. The committee that’s supposed to ask tough questions about government spending doesn’t seem too concerned when the spending benefits its own members. Funny how “government waste” is always a crisis—right up until it’s your plane ticket.
grudznick would not be surpised if there are some hard questions levied at Ms. Howard during the public testimony and rebuking portion of the meetings. Mr. Overweg, a fence sitter hisownself, should be prepared to hammer down on the insurrections at the risk of his own re-election. There are some fellows in the Conservatives with Common Sense that are riled up about this nonsense.
We pay these people so little — they’re essentially paying to be ridiculed like this publicly. There’s not many “benefits” to being a lawmaker in South Dakota, if any. I agree those with felonies pending shouldn’t have been allowed to attend by leadership. But innocent until proven guilty, right? However, those who lost their primaries are still the sitting legislators until January 2027 and were duly elected to those positions. You’d take the opportunity to go to the White House too, Pat. Once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. Unfortunately state government has spent millions on much worse…
Innocent until proven guilty only applies in the courtroom. The rest of their professional lives can suffer right now.
I’ve been there 3-4 times. And the state didn’t need to pay for my flight.
“And the state didn’t need to pay for my flight”. But did the state pay for your flight?
We understand the pay is bad.
For most elected, it comes down to two things. They believe they can make a difference, in the end they only want their way of making the difference. At the same time, the position is feeding an ego. The attention, the title, and the influence can make people think they are more important than they really are.
How quickly they forget they are a footnote in SD history.
Perry, or anyone else attending, are not going to come home with skills they could not have learned another way. This is a junket. The one lesson that should not require travel or taxpayer dollars is: do not commit a felony.
A literal parade of horribles. How embarrassing for South Dakota. And yet strangely appropriate at the same time. Will the rhoden/tony converts break bread (free I have to assume) with the Toby loyalists? Amber FM, Sue, Kevin J, Les are now part of the establishment. Karr too for crafting the anti development top 10 helping Larry play both sides (so smart). Who stands with Trump? I’ll tell you who. Phil Jensen! That’s who! Still hard to believe he wasn’t storming the capital on Jan 6th. Would have I’m sure if others had paid.
This should not be happening.
I am sorry, but you could not pay me to board a plane with Tom Pischke or Phil Jensen.
I just couldn’t stand it.
What if you had to sit next to one if them for the flight?
OMG, what if you got the middle seat?
I can imagine what Phil would bring to read on the trip
The Stormtrooper
Golden Dawn
Attack!
Der Freiwillige
Exit
Journal of Historical Review
Liberty Bell
National Socialist World
American Renaissance
This is ridiculous and totally unacceptable.
This reminds me of ole pelosi when she wanted Air Force 1 to take a hundred friends to China.
Love the President Trump hater comment, literally 77 million plus stand with President Trump. I served under six Presidents ( 1967-1990 ) the only ones I actually liked ( while serving my country ) were Nixon, Reagan’s first term ( as he had short term memory when it came to special operations ) and George SR.
If President Carter wouldn’t have aborted our mission in 1979 Iran would be nothing today.
Now we should Hiroshima Iran.
You speak of government waste, well none bigger than the China flu bullship.
RLTW
Now this is peak boomer-posting.
If they honestly think they’re gonna meet the president, they’re sorely mistaken. I can spot at least 5 who will attempt to use it for re-election in the future.
Curious if the DC delegation will meet with them?
Unsurprising at all that so many of the holier-than-thou overgodders throw their supposed code in the Doeden Dumpster as soon as they get a free trip to carouse in the shadow of fake Maga.
Are there any Republicans in this state with any self awareness?
The state of the party is an absolute joke.
yes, there are some of us with self-awareness, and we are embarrassed
Why should the State pay for anyone to go learn how to campaign? That’s not a taxpayer issue.
We are surprised DEI didn’t go to this along with her special friend.
We were hoping she would run for re-election so she would experience the same electoral landslide defeat as Toby Doeden.
The Taffy Howard, John Carly crowd is against the establishment yet take any handout they can get.
Can you imagine allowing felons into the White House? For shame!
Wait…
I think it is a good question. Even if it is just a charge, Pischke quit the legislature so is not a member of the legislature anymore. Does anyone charged with a felony have freedom to even leave the state?
Definitely not a Christian soul that has posted before this post. Judgmental bunch of degenerates
Matthew 19:14 MAGA RSV “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. As for those finger-wagging scolds taking a free trip to Washington, we’ll just see where they end up.” “
By their fruits ye shall know them.