Senator Jim Dunn who passed away approaching ten years’ now must be rolling over in his grave. Because I don’t think during his lifetime he would have imagined a measure from a Republican in his Legislative District, much less the House Majority Leader, attacking the mining industry in the Black Hills.
And not just that, State Representative and House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach sounds more like “Sierra Club Scott” with the resolution he’s brought – HCR 6010 – encouraging the formation of a legislative committee with the express purpose of more regulation on mining, economic development activities, and residential housing in the Black Hills (his words, not mine):
WHEREAS, the overdevelopment of areas with new residential construction, the expansion of mineral and mining extractive industries, and government-sponsored economic development plans without proper and appropriate regulatory constraints may pose irreparable dangers to the beauty and health of the Black Hills area; and
—
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the One Hundredth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council establish an interim legislative committee to evaluate the regulatory provisions applicable to government-sponsored economic development activities, mineral and mining extractive industries, and residential development taking place within the Black Hills of South Dakota, and to recommend appropriate regulatory provisions to protect the environmental health and historical character of the Black Hills.
So, Scott doesn’t want more people to dig in the Hills, to work in the Hills or to build a house in the Hills until we have more regulations? I mean, seriously? Who wrote this? Because I’m not entirely kidding when I sat that it seems like something that would have come out of the Sierra Club.
If I recall the 2024 South Dakota Republican Party platform, didn’t it have some things to say about this stuff? About economic growth, limited government, private property rights, and that the Republican party is supposed to stand against this type of regulation?
2.0 Economic Development and Jobs
2.1 Economic Growth – We support the creation of new jobs, economic development, and job training which will encourage our youth and adults to stay in the great State of South Dakota.
2.4 Government Intrusion – We believe economic activity thrives in an environment of limited government intrusion and can be stifled by government overreach and excessive taxation and overregulation. We believe government should not compete with private enterprise. We oppose the implementation of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) standards.
ESG standards are exactly what Scott is advocating for with the resolution here, BTW.
So.. with this kind of resolution, I’m kind of confused as to what Republicans are supposed to be for anymore. Are we for jobs and development (and the ability to own our own homes) or are we supposed to join Dakota Rural Action and No on RL21 and partner with Jane Fonda’s Climate PAC?
Someone let me know when the people who demand that we follow the set of rules laid down by the Republican platform figure it out.
This new alliance of these “conservatives” that align with Dakota Rural Action and what used to be the far left environmentalists makes me wonder what the future holds for the South Dakota Republican Party….
Nice labels bro.
Super accurate.
You really understand the problem and that’s impressive as all heck.
Again, these folks have gone so far right that they are liberals.
When did the Republican Party think it was a good idea to GROW government.
It’s like South Dakota’s own Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
Because we’ve asked him to.
I also asked him to look into development of future proof economies to make-up for the lack of leadership in this regard among South Dakota “elitists” for two decades.
They sold us out and brought in foreign labor, then laughed like there would be no consequences.
Not interested bud.
Oh. So you asked him to so it’s ok. Got it
He does not represent his constituents. He represents a minority ideology and arrogant mindset that he knows best.
How’s his record in Pierre?? Exactly.
It’s sounds like Odenbach is okay with bigger government as long as he gets to determine what is added. Disappointing that this is coming from a Republican, let alone a caucus leader.
Ya know, this might be one of those “broken clock is right twice a day” occurrences. Especially if this bill knocks UTVers (and other off-roaders that are obliterating hiking trails) down a few pegs. And if it leads to the development of actual housing, not more neighborhoods for the sole purpose of enriching those in the short-term rental game and pricing out locals.
This actually fits in with the wishes of his constituents. Spearfish is more like Boulder Colorado than a South Dakota town. Huge influx of Californians and Coloradans to the area and this is what you get. They claim to be conservatives but ultimately they end up being NIMBYs. They fight new mining leases, gravel pits, anything that might potentially disrupt their pristine elitist sanctuaries that they paid oh so much to have. Scott’s playing to his base. Remember, as awful as he is, he isn’t dumb.
I agree, he’s not dumb. He’s also not the principled conservative he claims to be by supporting more taxes and regulation which is what this is. Don’t roll a turd in powdered sugar and call it a doughnut.
If only we can convince the voters of this.
He is doing the will of the voters. You have to convince the voters to be more conservative – not convince them that Odenbach isn’t a true conservative, that will get someone even more liberal elected. (whatever that means)
You all are comfortable with electing “California” Carley.
I, to this day, do not understand how a life long resident of that county and a respected legislator was beat by a Californian who doesn’t know anything about our state. It is one of the most shameful tragedies of the last election and there were many.
Good for him, let’s put an open pit mine or quarry in your backyard to contaminate your water.
How dare you!
I wish Scott was my legislator.
I think Representative Odenbach is trying to protect SD as Oregonians tried to protect their state back in the 1980’s (when I lived there): Don’t Californicate Oregon!
I agree with him: Don’t Californicate western South Dakota! SD’s western natural lands are beautiful, provide timber revenue, support a variety of wildlife, and are a great draw for tourists and their money. Once the area is destroyed by extractive mining degradation and pollutants and filled in with ugly housing developments, we’ll never get it back.
Or Rep Odenbach could think about allowing local control to determine what is built. Localities should be able to make that decision for themselves, not have someone at the state level stifle economic development by raising taxes and increasing regulation.
Didn’t all these guys run on local control??
“Local control” usually means rich developers do whatever they want to maximize profit while trashing the environment.
Let’s just make it too expensive for anyone to live here. Except that doesn’t work either. You just end up pricing out the locals and get an influx of Californians. And Oregonians.
Mr. Odenbach hates Black Hills landowners and private property rights. There is no other explanation for this abomination.
Representative Odenbach, grudznick served with Jim Dunn. grudznick knew Jim Dunn. Jim Dunn was a friend of mine. Representative, you’re no Jim Dunn.
Remember the days when being a Republican meant that you believed in less regulation and lower taxes? Let’s get back to the basics and fire legislators like these.
The legislature this year wants to be the school board, county commission, city council, board of elections, everything. They want to control everything. Just get rid of local government and have the state take over. Oh wait guessing they don’t actually want to do the work just make all the rules.
Yes, this resolution seems to be inconsistent with his preaching over the years.
However, he most likely is playing to his base, none of who want mining near Pactola for instance. As out-of-state companies look for rare metals in the Black Hills, I suspect there will be a lot of Republicans and Democrats who don’t want them digging in their back yard. Nor would I.
And this is the most infuriating part of all, isn’t it? People like these scream and threaten violent revolution if local control is not returned to “we the people,” but cry if the locals make decisions they don’t like and demand state intervention. They have no guiding principles other than legislating to benefit themselves, and South Dakotans are getting sick of it.
How much does a summer study cost? If it is over $250, this is a waste of tax payers money. This is a local issue. He touts “local control” what he means is my control.
little known secret — most summer studies are a complete waste of time and money. Legislators with not enough to do or the inability to research and study issues themselves, gather to meet and collect their per diem. Sometimes they even do a conference call and still collect their per diem. Ultimately, very few results come out of summer studies. But everyone feels good about having done something, even though any results tend to be ‘lowest common denominator’ solutions that everyone can agree on.
It is a common these I have noticed with these Unhinged and Unqualified legislators. They do not take the time to educate themselves covering all bases when considering a bill. Many of these bills never should have been introduced if properly vetted. Think of how much time is wasted and what their actual productivity is each session. If they pulled this crap in the private sector or working in government they would be counseled by s supervisor, reprimanded and eventually terminated if it continued.
Is a common trait*
The Odenbach/Lems cartel and their minions will go down in history as some of the worst legislators ever elected. They are two-faced hypocrites with a semi load of gobble-de-gook thrown in.
It’s bad enough this session I was thinking that we might start longing for the Haugaard days..
I love that you are bringing up the planks in the party platform.
For YEARS, the “true conservatives” have used the platform as a weapon against the people they call the RINOs.
Telling them the platform is a beacon, not a weapon; a guide, not a contract, has been an exercise in futility. They still mailed out the scorecards.
Better question – how does the realtor Odenbach who makes $$ by brokering the development of the Hills now plan to regulate and limit the very activities he represents?
His observation of the problem is not wrong. However – like anything he does, his arrogance and hypocrisy will be a barrier to any possible success.