Gov. Mike Rounds has appointed AP Statehouse reporter Joe Kafka as his new press secretary.

Joe is a solid newsman and has covered Pierre for 22 years.  This is a serious pick with lots of gravitas and I commend the Governor.  I think Joe can probably pry some more governmental openness out of Gov. Mike.

My good friend Mitch Krebs, the soon to be ex-press secretary, is going to a media relations gig at Avera McKennan.

Congratulations and good luck to both Joe and Mitch as they start their new careers!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Skitch Trebs

PIERRE--Governor Mike Rounds announced that his administration supports a bailout plan for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The Governor made the announcement at his weekly news conference today.

"I realize the Argus Leader is always on my case about stuff, like the state airplane and open government," Rounds said.  "Frankly, they are a pain in my ass and most South Dakotans can't stand the rag.  However, I have to look beyond pettiness like them always wondering about who's going hunting with me and how many relatives I've hired and do what's best for South Dakota," he added.

The South Dakota Republican said that the upcoming ten percent cut mandated by parent company Gannett at the Sioux Falls paper would have a profound economic and cultural impact on the state.

"Let's face it.  What would South Dakotans do if they couldn't read what the Lovely and Long Suffering Mrs. Beck thought about life each Sunday," Rounds asked the assembled journalists and staff.  "And what would our citizens do if they couldn't learn about how much better life was in the 1950s and 60s in Chamberlain from columnist Terry Woster?  Exactly.  Our state's quality of life would be greatly diminished," he added.

One reporter who will no longer be allowed to participate in news conferences asked the Governor if his $149,000 bailout plan to use state-backed debentures to prop up the ailing newspaper wasn't politically motivated.

"Sure, the Argus Leader is a great foil," Rounds said.  "And of course every politician covets having their opponent endorsed by the Argus, which is the kiss of political death.  But I have to think of the econmic impact that the loss of even one Argus employee would have on the state's economy," he added.

Rounds noted, for example, if the Argus had to let the restaurant reviewers go, that would have a terrible impact on the Sioux Empire's food service industry.

"Every single restaurant they review gets three out of four possible stars," Rounds explained.  "They conclude that every restaurant in the Sioux Falls area is 'pretty good.'  If they stopped their always positive reviews, the Department of Revenue estimates the loss of sales tax because of fewer diners at over $2 million a year.  Things are too tight with the state budget to allow a hit like that."

Govenor Rounds plans to brief legislative leaders on the details of the bailout prior to the Budget Address on December 2, 2008.

"Together, we can make South Dakota--and the Argus Leader--even better," the Governor concluded.

*If you believe this news release, I have a bridge in Harrisburg I'd like to sell you.

The SD War College has a posting that will probably honk off the IM10 Clean and Sober Government folks.

PP’s theory?  That IM10’s genesis is in SDCAC executive director Lee Breard being snubbed by Gov. Mike Rounds’ office and state government for employment.

• Read: You know what they say about payback. And it looks like that’s what IM10 could be.

PP lays out the case.

It’s just something that makes you want to go “hmmm.”

On my way back from court Wednesday around noon, I ran into my good friend (yes, he actually is) Mitch Krebs, Gov. Rounds’ press secretary, and Paul Kinsman, SD Secretary of Revenue, in front of the County Treasurer’s office in Sioux Falls.

When I had walked through the Minnehaha Administration building at 8:30 a.m. on my way to court, the line for the treasurer stretched from the treasurer’s office almost to the doors to the new courthouse building—about 80 yards.

At noon, the line was down to about ten people.

What had happened?

Apparently Treasurer Pam Nelson had been “convinced” by County Commissioners and Kinsman to open an express lane to help people who only had renewals. That’s a majority of the business.

The second thing was that Kinsman flew—yes, via airplane—a Revenue employee to help the treasurer’s office.

The change in the length of the lines in the intervening three hours was dramatic.

As I have been tough on Gov. Mike Rounds in this deal, I thought it only fair to point out that he did provide at least a partial solution to Minnehaha County’s woes and that things were better for citizens waiting in line.

And in talking to Paul and Mitch, it was clear that this was not a political issue to them but a governmental services issue that they were trying to fix.

There are still problems with the new computer system. But because people lowered their rhetoric, a problem improved and the citizens got better service.

That’s the way government is supposed to run—whether Democrats, Republicans, or independents are in charge.

Technorati Tags: WaitGate, Pam Nelson, Paul Kinsman, Mike Rounds, Mitch Krebs, Minnehaha County, licensing, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

I don't know how much this has been reported in the SDMSM or on the blogs, but I stumbled across this 2006 post on the Huffington Post regarding an interesting intersection of money, Presidential politics, South Dakota, and oil.

And from ABC's April 23, 06 story, Gearing Up for '08? McCain Befriends Old Enemies,

Also co-chairing the [John McCain] event are Rob Allyn, a Texas PR man who was paid $46,000 to produce the Wylys' "Republicans for Clean Air" ads, and businessmen Albert Huddleston and Harold Simmons, who gave $100,000 and $3 million respectively to the controversial independent group, "Swift Vets & POWs for Truth." McCain called "dishonest and dishonorable" the "Swift Vets" group's 2004 campaign ads that helped sink the presidential chances of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Just something that makes you want to go "hmmmm."

Technorati Tags: Albert Huddleston, John McCain, John Kerry, Hyperion, South Dakota, Elk Point, Union County, refinery

Karl Krueger of Sioux Falls came to my law office today.

A Teamster driver for Yellow, his time between driving assignments is precious—and regulated by the federal government.

He has no time to waste standing in line to get his car licensed. When Uncle Sam says rest or sleep, he’s supposed to.

But thanks to the State of South Dakota’s “improved” vehicle licensing “system” that’s been in force since July 1, he’s worried about getting his proper rest so he can be safe and do his job—and get his car licensed.

Karl has tried four times since last Wednesday to get his car licensed at the Minnehaha County Treasurer’s office. So far, he’s stood in line for over two hours—with nothing to show for it except a lot of aggravation.

“I can’t spend that much time in line,” he says.

He’s mad and he wants answers—and changes.

Think of all the other people who have not only had to take personal time but time away from their jobs and businesses to monkey around with a system that wasn’t ready for prime time.

Think about the lost productivity to our state. Think about the trouble County Treasurer Pam Nelson, her employees, and other Treasurer’s have had to put up with across the state.

This is a problem not of their making but they bear the financial brunt—and the anger of citizens.

What is it exactly that Gov. Mike Rounds does? He has no “big” ideas for our state. So that should leave lots of time to “administer.”

Once again, our South Dakota State Government has failed us. And as President Harry Truman would say, the buck stops at the top—with Gov. Rounds.

Governor, fix this problem now so good people like Karl Krueger who have jobs and lives and can get on with both. It’s not just good government, it’s good politics.

And one other question: What vendor sold us this POS system? Perhaps the legislature needs to investigate next session.

Technorati Tags: Mike Rounds, government, South Dakota, Minnehaha County, licensing, long lines, ineptitude

I don't know if it is a great day for citizen journalism or a bad day for professional journalism.

With just a little bit of digging in the right places, a cartoonist and arist--Scott Ehrisman of SoDacola blog fame--has apparently uncovered one of the linkages in Gov. Mike Rounds' force-feeding of a high school laptop program on our state (and despite cries from his own fellow Republicans in the legislature).

As the old Watergate adage goes, "follow the money." Scott did. And this is what he discovered (reprinted with permission):

As I suspected the owner of the company that has the servicing contract for the school laptop program made individual contributions to Rounds’ governor campaigns in 2000 and twice in 2006:

SDSOS.org Finance reports

The owner of this company also sat on the advisory committee that helped organize the program:

SD Dept. of Education press release

Is there anything illegal about this. NO, not at all. But it does make one suspicious why Rounds has been pushing to save this program? Doesn’t it? But when has he ever been concerned about ethics? His secretary of education says it is about the kids. Is it really about the kids?

I’m wondering how long it will take for our supposed 4^th Estate to connect the dots?

This is a brilliant piece of citizen journalism. Scott had a hunch, followed it, researched it through public records, and came up with a pretty darn interesting result. (Sibby and Pat Powers have also done some excellent citizen reporting as well, to acknowledge my buddies on the Right.)

Which leads to perhaps an even broader question: why didn't the South Dakota Press do what Scott did?

All this took was a little bit of Scott's time, a computer, and an internet connection. Time, computers, and the internet are all things our friends in the media have.

All they would have to do to advance the story would be to solicit a response from the Rounds Administration and the contributor. Then talk to someone in the world of open government and maybe a Democratic legislator.

Boom! Done. A great lead story.

I fear for my former profession of professional journalism. There is so much laziness.

Let me digress for just a moment to make my point.

Saturday I was at Sioux Falls Ford getting my oil changed and my tires rotated. It took an hour or so. In the waiting room, between bags of popcorn and raspberry slushies, I watched CNN Headline News. Guess where about half of their news was coming from? Citizen journalists who had sent in videos and photos of tornodos, fires, and the 4th of July.

It was satisfying to see citizens reporting. But where were the pros? And this was CNN, mind you, not poor, understaffed KDLT.

Scott, great job and great reporting. Notice it's pretty much "just the facts, ma'm." And shame on our state and local media for not having the gumption, ya-yas, and enterprise to do what a cartoonist did.

Technorati Tags: laptops, Mike Rounds, South Dakota legislature, open government, citizen journalism, MSM, media

Apparently Gov. Mike Rounds thinks he is the king of the realm called South Dakota and just thinks he can impose tax by whim. 

The South Dakota Democratic Party and State Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem tell King Mike he has no clothes on this issue. 

CAMPAIGN 2008 UPDATE - From South Dakota Democratic Party

Rounds violates separation of power with double tax

At the bottom of this email is the press release issued Monday by Sen. Scott Heidepriem at his press conference with Sen. Sandy Jerstad regarding Gov. Mike Rounds’ decision to impose an illegal tax on ethanol. 

Briefly, Rounds issued a revenue department memo to ethanol dealers telling them they would pay a new tax if they sell gas through blender pumps.  There are only 17 stations in South Dakota using blender pumps, and more that are installing them at this time.  What blender pumps do is offer consumers an easy way to create higher blends of cheaper ethanol with their gasoline beyond the commonly available E-10.  A consumer presses a button on the pump, and the hose puts E-20 in the tank.  Or you can select E-30, because it automatic combines E-85 with E-10 to give you the correct mixture.

Here’s the problem.  Station owners pay the tax on E-10 and E-85 when they receive shipments.  What Rounds seeks to do with his memo is tax your ethanol one more time because it is being mixed.  That is, simply, a double tax.

Here’s the next problem.  Rounds can not constitutionally and legally impose a new tax that was not created by the S.D. Legislature.  In fact, Rounds tried twice during the 2008 Legislature with Senate Bill 110 to increase the state tax on ethanol, and both times it was defeated in the Senate Taxation
Committee.

Since using the front door didn’t work, Rounds decided to pull a trick on consumers, ethanol dealers and the State Constitution by imposing an additional tax on blends of E-10 and E-85 — fuel products which are ALREADY TAXED.

Here’s what we’re hearing around the state:

- Ethanol dealers are upset and angry with this.  Some have indicated they will ignore the revenue department directive.  If Rounds gets pushy, they may take Rounds to court — and would probably win easily.  One dealer said he was installing blender pumps, but Rounds’ new double tax makes him uneasy about the big investment.

- Consumers are upset.  They are scared of $4 a gallon gas, and now Mike Rounds wants to increase fuel taxes.

- Tourism leaders are concerned about higher state fuel taxes immediately before the tourism season begins.  Rounds’ new double tax sends the wrong message about South Dakota tax policy, especially as gas prices soar up to $4 per gallon.

- Farmers and bio-fuels proponents are angry.  Blender pumps used commercially to blend bio-fuels first appeared in South Dakota at the Four Seasons Cooperative in Britton and then the Sioux Valley Cooperative CENEX on the east side of Watertown.  They believe blender pumps will dramatically
increase the use of South Dakota-grown ethanol because they are easy to use.

Rounds’ new double-tax is viewed as an attack on blender pump use, which could catch on across the nation as prices per gallon rise to $4 per gallon.

- Legal experts say Rounds’ directive is just a memo — not a legal tax.  Since Rounds lacks legal authority to impose a tax without it first passing the legislature, the directive is non-binding.  What’s worse is Rounds failed to get this tax passed a few months ago in the Senate, which demonstrates that he knows he is acting without legislative authority.

Remember studying American government in school when the teacher said the legislature appropriates and the executive branch implements?  Rounds must have missed class that day because he apparently believes he has the power to create new taxes.  Even Republican legislator Hal Wick knows better, as quoted in today’s Argus Leader saying Rounds’ action may be unconstitutional.

Richard A. Hauffe
Executive Director
South Dakota Democratic Party

Technorati Tags: ethanol, taxation, South Dakota, Mike Rounds, Scott Heidepriem, South Dakota Democratic Party

I think the only way to put this is not only Gov. Mike Rounds against open government, he is arrogant about it.

Here, in his own words to the Associated Press, are his feelings about efforts to make South Dakota records more accessible to the citizens:

“I haven’t had one single letter, I haven’t had one single phone call logged into my system of literally more than a thousand contacts,” Rounds told the Watertown Public Opinion editorial board. “Not one, on the issue that you’re suggesting is such a critical issue in South Dakota.

“Of all the issues that are out there that people are really following, and there are dozens of them, this is the one that is for you the most critical. But in terms of what we spend our time with dealing with folks in the public every day, this isn’t on their radar screen.”

So, open government isn’t important because the governor gets no calls or letters about it.  Never mind it is simply good and honest government.  And the right thing to do.

South Dakotans should not tolerate such high-handedness and imperiousness from its leader.

Technorati Tags: Gov. Mike Rounds, open government, open records, South Dakota, arrogance, Associated Press

I have to hand it to my Republican friends.  They have come up with a great—but fake—reason to oppose more open government in South Dakota.

Republicans are protecting you, my dear fellow South Dakotans, from identity theft.

Don’t believe me?  Here’s it is from Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson today in a senate committee in Pierre as reported by KELOLAND.

“We also need to chart the course of the principles of open governmenton one hand and the rightful expectations of privacy of our citizens on the other.”

Yes, the Grand Old Party has been fighting—and continues to fight—open government because it cares about you and your private information,South Dakota.

If you believe that, I have a bridge in Yankton I’d like to sell you.

No.  Many Republicans oppose open government—including Gov. Mike “My Door Is Always Open” Rounds because they don’t want you to know what is REALLY going on in your government.

Like what cronies go to the Governor’s Pheasant Hunt on our dime.

Like if the Governor is using the state airplane for his own our or business.

Like if a corporation with no track record of building or running an oil refinery is sniffing around our state to set up shop.

Like if state economic development loans are really being paid back.

Like who is getting state contracts.

Of course none of this matters.  The boogey man to guard against is the assault on your privacy.

Talk about a strawman in a strong wind.  But nice try, Dave. We’re just not buying it.


Technorati Tags: open government, privacy, cronyism, Sen. Dave Knudson, Pierre, South Dakota Legislature, South Dakota, openness

Powered by ScribeFire.

A little birdie sent me the following press release.

I will be sure to make sure my LGBT friends know about the state’s contest. I know some who are extremely romantic.

I’d like to see Gov. Mike Rounds’ face when he presents such a couple their award.

Governor’s Office of Economic Development

711 E. Wells Ave.

Pierre, SD 57501

(605) 773-3301
www.SDreadytowork.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 15, 2008
CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301

Wanted:  Made in South Dakota’s Most Romantic Couple

PIERRE — Getting hit with cupid’s arrow could pay off in more ways than one this Valentine’s Day as Made in South Dakota searches for the most romantic couple in the state.

        By sharing their romantic story, the winning couple will receive a night at one of three South Dakota bed and breakfast establishments listed on the site and a Made in South Dakota gift basket. The winner may opt for a $200 gift certificate redeemable at www.madeinsouthdakota.com instead of the get-away package.

        “We thought it would be fun to let people tell their romantic stories,” said Alice Wright, Made in South Dakota Coordinator.  “Whether you had a romantic proposal, a romantic vacationor you’re one of the lucky ones that has a romantic spouse every day of the year year, we want to hear about it,” she said.

        Participants are asked to submit their stories through the form on www.madeinsouthdakota.com. Entries should be limited to 500 words or less and must be submitted by Feb. 3, 2008. 

       
The stories will then be posted on the site and the voting will be open to the public. Voting will take place Feb.4-12, 2008 on the Made in South Dakota Web site, and the winning couple will be announced Feb. 13.

For contest rules, more information and entry options, visit www.madeinsouthdakota.com.

-30-

Technorati Tags: GLBT, LGBT, gay rights, South Dakota, Made in South Dakota, romantic couples

Powered by ScribeFire.

I have no inside information on this but I think Gov. Mike Rounds’ proposal to make drastic cuts in the South Dakota Highway Patrol budget is proof positive that Mike is NOT going to run for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Tim Johnson.

Why?

Most Republican politicians never see a criminal penalty they didn’t want to increase; a new prison they didn’t want to build; and a law enforcement budget that they didn’t want to increase.

And frankly, no politician ever went wrong by being tougher on crime and more supportive of law enforcement.

So, besides being really bad public policy to not give our Smokeys the funds they need to do their jobs of protecting our citizens, patrolling our many miles of roads, helping other law enforcement agencies, and catching the meth makers and traffickers that travel through the state, it is also a politically inept move.  The proposed cuts look penny-ante and small minded.

Besides giving Sen. Johnson a great campaign issue against him, it also gives Democratic legislative candidates this fall a great issue.  Further, Gov. Rounds has torked off a number of Republican legislators, including former HiPo head Sen. Gene Abdallah.

While Geno and I don’t agree on many issues, in law enforcement circles, he is highly, highly regarded.  The guy was a good cop.  And, he knows what he’s talking about in this issue.

So, because of this bonehead move, I think it is clear that there will be no Mike for Senate in 2008.



Technorati Tags: Gov. Mike Rounds. Sen. Tim Johnson, Mike Rounds, Tim Johnson 2008 Election, 2008 Senate races, South Dakota, South Dakota Highway Patrol, SDHP, law enforcement, cops, South Dakota Legislature

Powered by ScribeFire.

Denise Ross over at The Hog House and Cory Heidelberger at the Madville Times both have well written and researched stories on one legislator’s proposed bill to shutter one of South Dakota’s state institutions of higher learning.

The theory is that if small K-12 schools need to close for economy sake, why not higher ed giving up some tenure?

Also, with the University Center (formerly USDSU) in Sioux Falls essentially becoming a seventh state university, is the state spreading its resources too thin?

My own thoughts on this is Rep. Mark Kirkeby (R-Rapid City) may (repeat MAY) have a good idea, but unless Gov. Mike Rounds is willing to expend a huge amount of political capital to close a school—which would likely be one of the smaller schools, such as Mines, BHSU, NSU, or DSU—it is not going to happen.

There are still plenty of people smarting over the closure of USD-Springfield in the early 1980s when Gov. Bill Janklow spent considerable time, effort, and political capital to turn the college into a prison.  I would argue that only someone of Janklow’s political skills, single-mindedness, and toughness could get a college closed.  I don’t see the current Governor wanting to take on such a battle—particularly if he has any inkling of running for the U.S. Senate this year or if he wants to spend the rest of his term mired in the nastiness of such a fight.

It was one thing to take on a small school like USDS in a small town like Springfield.  But take on Rapid City and Mines?  Fuggettaboutit!  Take on Spearfish over BHSU?  Nah.  Take on Aberdeen over NSU?  Nope.  Take on Madison over DSU?  Well, maybe, but doubtful.

Frankly, as higher education and technical education becomes even more important as our economy continues to change and grow, I think there is a good argument that our citizens—not just college aged citizens—need more, not less access to higher education.  Higher ed and technical education also draw research and economic development.  So, personally, I would hate to see any of the current colleges get axed.

But still, this Washburn University of Topeka and University of Houston graduate thinks it would be fun to ponder which school is the weak sister in the family of South Dakota higher education.

Here’s my school by school analysis in order of non-closeability:

1.  SDSU—No brainer.  Our only DI school that’s also a land grant college in an agricultural state.  Also, too many alums to let it happen.

2.  USD—No brainer.  A soon to be DI school with most of the state’s professional schools in business, law, and medicine.  Again, too many alums to screw with.

3.  University Center—No brainer.  The powers that be have made this happen.  Sioux Falls is a growing community that needs more (and cheaper) educational opportunities for a metropolitan area.  In ten years, this will be South Dakota’s largest university.

Now it gets tougher.

4.  SDSM&T—Perhaps a surprise.  But as Gov. Rounds pushes for more research, its proximity to SDUSEL, and its tremendous reputation as an engineering and scientific school, I think it is safe.  Or at least it should be.  If I were a smart kid who loved math and science, no matter where I was from, this is where I’d go to school.

5. DSU—A small school in a small town but it has an extremely focused mission that puts it in the forefront of today’s technology, use of computing, and integration of computing across all disciplines.  Also highly regarded for what it does nationally.  Also, Heidelberger would be forced to enter the real world and no one wants that.

6. NSU—The best thing it has going for it is that it provides higher education in the state’s third largest community.  The state would be stupid to leave that corner of the state without a college.  Plus, I’d hate to see Schaff and Blanchard have to find real jobs.

7. BHSU—This is not a knock on the school or its quality but it seems to have the least focus of any of the state’s colleges.  It’s programs could be moved to Rapid City at Mines and give Mines a college of Liberal Arts.  However, Spearfish is going to be a community that continues to grow.  It will likely be a place where the SDUSEL scientists and staffers live.  And those smarty-pants like college towns. 

Again, I would hate to see any of the schools close because more higher ed, not less, will make South Dakota and South Dakotans more competitive as well as smarter.

My guess is that the closure issue will get some debate but it will die well before the end of the 2008 session.

In the meantime, vote for which school you think should close if push comes to shove.

(Cross-posted to SD Watch and SDW @ KELOLAND.com.)

Technorati Tags: South Dakota, higher education, legislature, Gov. Mike Rounds, Rep. Mark Kirkeby, DSU, NSU, BHSU, SDSU, USD, SDSM&T, University Center, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Madison, Aberdeen, Spearfish, Springfield

Powered by ScribeFire.

My friend Pat Powers at SD War College has a minor stroke about Gov. Mike Rounds proposing a buffer zone around Bear Butte State Park in the northern Black Hills.  Pat thinks it is an establishment of religion and more importantly—GASP!—violates landowner rights, which, of course, are much more important than any other right.

• Read:  Governor: A permanent buffer should be created around Bear Butte to protect this “sacred site”.The Framers: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
  

Technorati Tags: Bear Butte, Bear Butte State Park, Gov. Mike Rounds, South Dakota, zoning, buffer zones, religions, Lakota, Black Hills

[Where: 57785]

Powered by ScribeFire.

Sphere: Related Content

From the genius of Scott Ehrisman.

Technorati Tags: Gov. Mike Rounds, crony capitalism, Rounds family, South Datota state budget

[where: 57501]

[where: Pierre, SD]

Powered by ScribeFire.

Sphere: Related Content