News Articles

Chairman’s Note: The Vermillion Plain Talk followed six other South Dakota newspapers condemning Republican legislators using tax dollars on ALEC dues and travel. A corporate financed conservative organization, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) matches corporations with Republican legislators to draft “model” corporate friendly bills for legislators to push back home. But you can stop them. Join hundreds of other South Dakotans by signing the petition: No Tax Dollars for ALEC dues!

Chairman’s Note: This week, Governor Dennis Daugaard flew to the Mall of America to try and convince Minnesotans to move next door. Our friend Matt McGovern says it best: “Let this be a lesson to governors of other states: If you don’t invest enough in education year after year, you will find yourself at the Mall of America trying to talk people into moving to your state to fill skilled positions.”

Chairman’s Note: Our dear friend Matt Varilek accepted an appointment this week to be the regional administrator for the Small Business Administration. He’s up to the task. With economic development experience in the private and public sectors, Varilek knows how to support entrepreneurs, small business owners, and local communities. Congratulations on the new job, Matt. We look forward to seeing what great things you’ll do for South Dakota going forward.

Chairman’s Note: Last week, national groups called out Governor Mike Rounds for hiding his taxpayer funded communications from public scrutiny. Why is Rounds so dismissive of transparency? Well, every time his closed door deals saw the light of day, Rounds got burned – whether it was approving huge tax breaks for big corporations like TransCanada or flying the state airplane for personal travel. If Rounds thinks he can forget his past, he better think again.

Chairman’s Note: How are you going to remember and honor Senator Tim Johnson? Our Democratic leader Rep. Bernie Hunhoff hit the nail on the head: “He’s not so much a progressive or a conservative as he is a consensus builder. He likes to get things done. That perfectly describes the career of Tim Johnson.”

Chairman’s Note: American Indians had a huge ally in Senator Tim Johnson. He streamlined and strengthened affordable housing programs on the reservations and always listened to the concerns of our state’s first people. Rosebud Sioux tribal member Ralph Eagleman says it best: ”I always voted for him every time. He is like a member of the family, like a tiospaye.  He is a big brother to us.”

Chairman’s Note: It’s official. Senator Johnson has announced his retirement after the 2014 legislative session. In this edition of the Newswire, we recognize what made Senator Johnson special to the people of South Dakota, including two Republicans from Rapid City interviewed here.

For three straight years, Congresswoman Noem has endorsed a radical Republican budget that research shows would eliminate two million American jobs and end Medicare’s guaranteed benefits for South Dakota seniors. It’s long past time for Congresswoman Noem to put South Dakotans before radical Washington Republicans. Read more about the radical GOP budget and make sure to share it with friends to hold Noem accountable.

It’s finally official – Governor Daugaard has signed a comprehensive economic development package created by legislators that invests in education, housing, community development and businesses of all sizes. Pat yourself on the back. In 2011, Governor Daugaard authored a huge corporate welfare package for big out of state businesses and forced it through the legislature before you all referred the measure and voters rejected it in 2012. Now we have a more comprehensive package with much stronger protections for your tax dollars, and that’s a win you can take credit for.