Press Releases

How much do South Dakota taxpayers spend on economic development? Nobody knows, and we’re not about to find out anytime soon because Republicans on the House State Affairs Committee killed HB 1108 this morning on a party-line vote.

“Killing the bill is a travesty,” said Ben Nesselhuf, the state chairman of the Democratic Party. “Given how much this administration talks about accountability, I thought they would looking be looking for opportunities to lead the way. Taxpayers have a right to know how we spend their money. Either Republicans don’t want to know how much we spend or they don’t think taxpayers deserve to the right to know how we spend taxpayer dollars.”

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Despite mounting legal bills, Republicans in the State Legislature voted Thursday, January 19, 2012, to ignore attorney and court costs that may be associated with controversial bills. Continue Reading »

South Dakota Democratic Party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf released the following statement after former Governor and Congressman Bill Janklow passed away today:

 ”Whether or not you agreed with his politics, Governor Janklow offered real vision for our state and worked tirelessly to make South Dakota a better place. Without doubt, he will be counted as one of our state’s foremost leaders in modern history. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

I’m going on record to thank Senator John Thune.

After weeks of deliberation, Senate Republicans including Senator John Thune joined Senate Democrats including Senator Tim Johnson to pass legislation halting a $1000 tax hike on every working family in South Dakota. They worked together to stop one of the largest tax hikes on working families in recent history.

But this Tuesday, December 20, 2011, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, together with House Republicans, rejected the bipartisan Senate effort to protect families from a $1000 tax increase. Continue Reading »

South Dakota Democratic Party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf released the following statement after Congresswoman Kristi Noem and House Republicans defeated the payroll tax cut extension that passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support:

“Congresswoman Kristi Noem and House Republicans are playing politics with South Dakota pocket books. With Noem’s vote against the bipartisan payroll tax cut compromise that passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, it appears that the only tax breaks Noem will pass without condition are tax breaks for millionaires. It’s time Noem and House Republicans quit holding everyday South Dakotans hostage for ideological gain.” Continue Reading »

South Dakota Democratic Party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf released the following statement after the US House of Representatives passed the GOP Payroll tax cut extension with other controversial provisions on a nearly party line vote:

“Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Washington Republicans are playing politics with South Dakota pocket books. Stopping a tax increase on middle class families is not controversial. It shouldn’t require controversial provisions to pass Republican muster. It’s time Noem and Washington Republicans quit holding South Dakotans hostage for ideological gain. ” Continue Reading »

Governor Dennis Daugaard released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013, and already Republicans are taking credit for the apparent success of last year’s savage cuts.

To be sure, modest increases won’t hurt our schools, nursing homes, and essential government services. But praising modest increases after brutal cuts ignores the huge consequences our children, property owners, and families in need have shouldered just to make up for the state’s inability to fulfill its basic obligations.

It’s hard to believe “praise” for last year’s budget cuts is what Republicans are giving in light of modest increases this year. After Daugaard’s budget address, Sen. Tom Nelson (R-Lead) said, “It shows some of the hard decisions we made a year ago are coming to fruition with money available to… do some new things for 2013.” Continue Reading »

South Dakota Democratic Party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf released the following statement after the House of Representatives moved forward with Kristi Noem’s bill to ban the Environmental Protection Agency from enacting farm dust regulations that don’t exist.

“Congresswoman Kristi Noem has proven today that she is willing to spend $10 million in taxpayer money to ban farm dust regulations that don’t even exist.  Every day that Noem spends fighting farm dust regulations that don’t exist is another day that Noem is neither fighting to create jobs nor preserve taxpayer dollars.  Congress is already starting to debate the future of popular programs for farmers.  It’s long past time that Noem stop her $10 million effort to scare farmers and start joining the conversation on the real issues facing rural South Dakotans.“ Continue Reading »