Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
[PenDems (136)] Pen Dems Reminder
Dear Democrats:
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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
A quick reminder about the Pendem monthly meeting this Thursday, Feb 26th at the Rapid City public library, 6 p.m. (upstairs meeting room).
In addition to reviewing the procedures for the upcoming County Party elections in April, local journalist Sam Hurst has been invited to lead a discussion about the political future of South Dakota. Sam has recently launched a new online newspaper called Dakota Day, and has written some provocative articles about the political leadership within our Party. Please join us for what is expected to be a lively discussion.
Our annual event, Champagne & Chocolates, is set for March 27, and Senate Democratic Leader Scott Heidepriem is our confirmed speaker. Mark your calendars for this fun evening and watch for more details.
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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
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Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Statehouse Alert, Feb 13
E-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you ... because it's time to bring change to Pierre.
Help us fight for open government and South Dakota's future. Make a one-time or recurring online contribution today.
DO I HEAR SEVEN? SEVEN STATE AIRPLANES? NINE AIRPLANES? HOW ABOUT 13?
How many airplanes are now known to be owned by state government? Last week, the number grew to nine. The number grew to 13 today when it was revealed before the Senate Appropriations Committee by legislators who want to sell off some of the air fleet to fund essential services. How many state airplanes does it take to haul one Governor? If you're Mike Rounds, the answer is three King Airs and another passenger plane.
Senator Scott Heidepriem disclosed the number of state planes during his attempt to pass Senate Bill 137, which would sell state airplanes to help cover the financial shortfall which Rounds claims has forced him to kill the S.D. State Fair, the S.D. School for the Deaf, the S.D. Arts Council and essential health services like the Birth to 3 Program. Jason Dilges, who heads the Bureau of Finance & Management, led the testimony against the budget austerity measure by calling the bill, offered by Heidepriem and Republican Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls, as "politics." Heidepriem questioned Dilges' claim, saying the legislature is expected by the Governor to make "hard choices" when it comes to approving Rounds' slashing Birth to 3, the Arts Council, the School for the Deaf and other essential needs to citizens, but the Governor's office considers it "politics" when legislators seek funding remedies by reducing the state air fleet. Heidepreim responded:
GOP SENATORS EMBRACE CORRUPT NO-BID CONTRACTING IN PARTY-LINE VOTE
Republican State Senators Bob Gray of Pierre, Russ Olson of Madison, Larry Rhoden of Union Center and Gene Abdallah, Dave Knudson and Tom Dempster of Sioux Falls this week endorsed the politically corrupt "pay to play" tactics of the Gov. Mike Rounds administration which gives lucrative no-bid contracts to political pals who hand out big contributions. They voted as a bloc this week in Senate State Affairs against Senate Bill 168 to reform contract awards in state government.
The bill would have forbidden no-bid contracts for state projects in excess of $25,000, and would have required those contracts to be awarded through a public bidding process.
The most notorious no-bid contract arrangement in the Rounds/Daugaard administration is with Lawrence & Schiller which has benefited from a cozy arrangement which gave $23 million for contracts that were not put up for bidding. Daugaard, whose daughter works for Lawrence & Schiller, hired the firm to provide media campaign services to his governor campaign.
The bill, offered by Democratic leaders Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff, sought to outlaw large contract payoffs to contributors. For details, look up Senate Bill 168 on the Legislative Research Council website. There'a an AP story from the Yankton paper about this, too.
HEINEMAN VOTE DELAYED TO NEXT WEEK. WHY? NOT ENOUGH VOTES? HMMMMMM.
Republican legislators who care about a high quality education program in South Dakota are as upset as Democratic legislators about Gov. Mike Rounds' decision to appoint former House member Phyllis Heineman to the state education board. But will they sprout a spine to vote against Heineman's nomination to the board or wimp out? That's the buzz in the Capitol today.
The Heineman nomination might have been in trouble if it had gone forward with the expected vote in the State Senate today. However, the vote was pulled off the calendar for Tuesday when the legislature reconvenes after the holiday. Heineman was no friend to education when she served four terms in the House. She lost in an expensive and hotly contended race last fall against Sen. Scott Heidepriem, mainly because of her unsavory positions on supporting a quality education system in the state. Why the vote was delayed was not explained, except that observers noted that many legislators went home early today and she may not have had enough votes in the Senate. Her nomination survived a one-vote margin earlier this week in the Senate Education Committee.
Here's an Associated Press quote about Heineman's controversial nomination from GOP Senate Leader Dave Knudson, who serves in neighboring District 14:
AROUND THE STATE
By Amanda Mattingly, SDDP Field Organizer
Now is the best time to make the biggest difference to winning back the Statehouse in the 2010 election. That's because county party elections are required to be held in April throughout South Dakota. The only people who can vote in county party elections, according to our SDDP Constitution, are the county party officers, Democratic office holders and precinct committee women and men.
This makes a wonderful incentive to recruit a full slate of precinct committee women and men in each county. Why?
If you have questions on how to become a precinct leader or you would like help to organize and train precinct leaders in your county, please contact me by email, amandam2282--at--gmail.com
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre until April 1, 2009.
By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota. Please make a contribution online, or mail your check to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
Help us fight for open government and South Dakota's future. Make a one-time or recurring online contribution today.
TOP NEWS STORIES
DO I HEAR SEVEN? SEVEN STATE AIRPLANES? NINE AIRPLANES? HOW ABOUT 13?
How many airplanes are now known to be owned by state government? Last week, the number grew to nine. The number grew to 13 today when it was revealed before the Senate Appropriations Committee by legislators who want to sell off some of the air fleet to fund essential services. How many state airplanes does it take to haul one Governor? If you're Mike Rounds, the answer is three King Airs and another passenger plane. Senator Scott Heidepriem disclosed the number of state planes during his attempt to pass Senate Bill 137, which would sell state airplanes to help cover the financial shortfall which Rounds claims has forced him to kill the S.D. State Fair, the S.D. School for the Deaf, the S.D. Arts Council and essential health services like the Birth to 3 Program. Jason Dilges, who heads the Bureau of Finance & Management, led the testimony against the budget austerity measure by calling the bill, offered by Heidepriem and Republican Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls, as "politics." Heidepriem questioned Dilges' claim, saying the legislature is expected by the Governor to make "hard choices" when it comes to approving Rounds' slashing Birth to 3, the Arts Council, the School for the Deaf and other essential needs to citizens, but the Governor's office considers it "politics" when legislators seek funding remedies by reducing the state air fleet. Heidepreim responded:
Here we have three pressurized twin-engine King Airs, all valued at more than one million dollars. Do we need all three of them, or do we need the Birth to 3 Program? Compared to what? That's the question the appropriations process is all about and that's why we entrust you to make those decisions.The measure lost 4-3 on a party line vote. Voting to kill the bill by deferring it to the 41st legislative day were Sen. Al Novstrup of Aberdeen, Sen. Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, Sen. Jeff Haverly of Rapid City and Sen. Corey Brown of Gettysburg.
GOP SENATORS EMBRACE CORRUPT NO-BID CONTRACTING IN PARTY-LINE VOTE
Republican State Senators Bob Gray of Pierre, Russ Olson of Madison, Larry Rhoden of Union Center and Gene Abdallah, Dave Knudson and Tom Dempster of Sioux Falls this week endorsed the politically corrupt "pay to play" tactics of the Gov. Mike Rounds administration which gives lucrative no-bid contracts to political pals who hand out big contributions. They voted as a bloc this week in Senate State Affairs against Senate Bill 168 to reform contract awards in state government. The bill would have forbidden no-bid contracts for state projects in excess of $25,000, and would have required those contracts to be awarded through a public bidding process.
The most notorious no-bid contract arrangement in the Rounds/Daugaard administration is with Lawrence & Schiller which has benefited from a cozy arrangement which gave $23 million for contracts that were not put up for bidding. Daugaard, whose daughter works for Lawrence & Schiller, hired the firm to provide media campaign services to his governor campaign.
The bill, offered by Democratic leaders Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff, sought to outlaw large contract payoffs to contributors. For details, look up Senate Bill 168 on the Legislative Research Council website. There'a an AP story from the Yankton paper about this, too.
HEINEMAN VOTE DELAYED TO NEXT WEEK. WHY? NOT ENOUGH VOTES? HMMMMMM.
Republican legislators who care about a high quality education program in South Dakota are as upset as Democratic legislators about Gov. Mike Rounds' decision to appoint former House member Phyllis Heineman to the state education board. But will they sprout a spine to vote against Heineman's nomination to the board or wimp out? That's the buzz in the Capitol today. The Heineman nomination might have been in trouble if it had gone forward with the expected vote in the State Senate today. However, the vote was pulled off the calendar for Tuesday when the legislature reconvenes after the holiday. Heineman was no friend to education when she served four terms in the House. She lost in an expensive and hotly contended race last fall against Sen. Scott Heidepriem, mainly because of her unsavory positions on supporting a quality education system in the state. Why the vote was delayed was not explained, except that observers noted that many legislators went home early today and she may not have had enough votes in the Senate. Her nomination survived a one-vote margin earlier this week in the Senate Education Committee.
Here's an Associated Press quote about Heineman's controversial nomination from GOP Senate Leader Dave Knudson, who serves in neighboring District 14:
"I've seldom agreed with Rep. Heineman on educational issues, as we've had for four years sharp differences on the Senate views on education and the House's views."With ringing endorsements like that, it'll be interesting to see the count when the Senate votes next week.
AROUND THE STATE
By Amanda Mattingly, SDDP Field Organizer
Now is the best time to make the biggest difference to winning back the Statehouse in the 2010 election. That's because county party elections are required to be held in April throughout South Dakota. The only people who can vote in county party elections, according to our SDDP Constitution, are the county party officers, Democratic office holders and precinct committee women and men.
This makes a wonderful incentive to recruit a full slate of precinct committee women and men in each county. Why?
- They get to vote in the April elections. Those elected as Chair, Vice Chair, and State Central Committee Men and Women get to vote for regional representatives to the SDDP Executive Board at McGovern Day's State Central Committee meeting on April 25 in Aberdeen.
- They will be useful to electing new Chairs and Vice Chairs in each of the 35 State Legislative Districts throughout South Dakota during May, as required by the SDDP Constitution.
- They become automatic delegates to the 2010 SDDP State Convention.
- They will perform a vital role in recruiting and organizing new volunteers to help our candidates, to hold events, and get out our Democratic message during 2009 and 2010.
If you have questions on how to become a precinct leader or you would like help to organize and train precinct leaders in your county, please contact me by email, amandam2282--at--gmail.com
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre until April 1, 2009.
By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota. Please make a contribution online, or mail your check to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
[PenDems (135)] Fwd: Lawrence County Dems February Meeting Feb 12
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bob Wilson <frogworks --at-- rushmore.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Subject: February Meeting
The Lawrence County Democrats will meet tomorrow night at the Cedar House restaurant in Spearfish. A no host dinner will begin at 6pm with the business meeting commencing at 7. The main order of business will be identifying possible precinct committeemen and women, as well as discussion of the dinner tentatively planned for April 11, the St. Patrick's day parade, the upcoming election of county officers, and other business items.
I hope to see you there.
Bob Wilson
From: Bob Wilson <frogworks --at-- rushmore.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Subject: February Meeting
The Lawrence County Democrats will meet tomorrow night at the Cedar House restaurant in Spearfish. A no host dinner will begin at 6pm with the business meeting commencing at 7. The main order of business will be identifying possible precinct committeemen and women, as well as discussion of the dinner tentatively planned for April 11, the St. Patrick's day parade, the upcoming election of county officers, and other business items.
I hope to see you there.
Bob Wilson
Friday, February 06, 2009
Statehouse Alert, Feb 6
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you... because it's time to bring change to Pierre.
Help us fight for open government and South Dakota's future. Contribute today online with ActBlue.
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Republicans still ripping Rounds over budget dilemma and tax hikes
The Republican effort to force a 25 to 50 percent in state sales taxes is going over like a lead balloon in the State Capitol and on Main Street South Dakota. Democratic House members are hearing grumbling from GOP colleagues who are disillusioned with House Leader Bob Faehn of Watertown for knuckling under so soon for a sales tax increase. Here's a bit from a blog entry today on South Dakota War College, written by Republican blogger Pat Powers of Brookings:
I was talking to a fellow politico last night who brought up a pretty powerful point. His thought? How are these guys who are proposing tax increases going to explain why we need them to some guy who just lost his job? I mean really - for the group of Republicans proposing a temporary sales tax increase - those who we might term the "tax-and-spend gang of nine" - what are they going to say to that jobless guy who is now combing the classifieds and stopping twice a week down at job service? That they need to increase his taxes "to maintain and ensure the current level of operations for state government?" Guys, I don't think that one is going to sit too well. When Governor Janklow came back to office in 1994, one of the first things he did was to enact a sweeping across the board cut to state government. I was in state government at the time, and I remember at the time that it truly was "across the board." This is what people out in the trenches are looking for. Not tax increases - temporary or not - to maintain a standard of offices that are beyond some South Dakotan's personal means. Across the board cuts resonate with the populace. Tax increases don't, and in fact make people mad. Don't want to take my advice? Fine. At the end of the day it isn't up to me. But if a few of you find yourselves turned out of office in 2010 - don't say I didn't warn you.
A Keloland story interviewing folks on the street gets a similar reaction in this excerpt about Republican Sen. Gordon Howie's bill to increase sales taxes to lower property taxes:
"Anytime I hear that we are going to raise sales tax, I think, as a business owner, that that makes less money out there for people to spend. Right now is not the time. If anything we need to be lowering them so people can get out and stimulate the economy," business owner Jeff From said. From owns three salons in Sioux Falls and says an increase to the sales tax will hurt businesses, leaving more people laid off and fewer people with money to put back into the economy.
The criticism leads to Gov. Mike Rounds whose second budget proposal yanked funding for S.D. Arts Council, the School for the Deaf, the State Fair, young children health programs and adult dental coverage, among other essential needs of the state. The Republicans are angry that they're being coerced by Rounds to support a 25 percent or 50 percent increase in state sales taxes to repair the damage to the budget created by Rounds.
Rounds still refuses to consider a plan offered by Democrats at the beginning of this year's legislative session which identified across-the-board cuts and funding resources for the state's essential needs without increasing taxes. Rounds and the Republican leadership have criticized some of the Democrats' funding resources, saying it would be wrong to use one-time funding sources. However, when they say that, they ignore the fact that Rounds drained a one-time funding resource to balance his last few budgets when the economy was in much better shape. In another story today on the federal stimulus money, Rounds said the source was one-time money that he would spend to provide relief for the state.
"It means we wouldn't take money out of our savings accounts to pay that bill," Rounds said in a Pierre Capital Journal story. "But it would be one-time in nature and only give us some breathing room."
So much for the one-time money source excuse not to use available money to fund budget needs .
You can read more about the hardships Rounds has created for families whose children require the School for the Deaf at Keloland's website. Also, the Capital Journal is reporting on what Rounds is saying about using (or not using) likely Federal stimulus money. Change You Can't Depend on."
South Dakota still leads nation in moonlighting to survive
South Dakota's wages are so low compared to the rest of the nation that the state still maintains its distinction as the state with the highest percentage of moonlighting workers who hold multiple jobs to survive. The Argus Leader reported today that the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that South Dakota rates first and Nebraska rates second in workers who moonlight. It shows that 10.2 percent of South Dakotans had more than one job in 2007. The state's rate has increased each year since 2003, when 8.6 percent of the state's workers had two or more jobs.
AROUND THE STATE - By Rick Hauffe, SDDP Executive Director
Democrats made history in 1992 when they won a majority in the South Dakota Senate without a seated Democratic Governor. This victory was the result of four years of spirited teamwork between the S.D. Democratic Party and the Democratic legislators to win elections and run smart strategies during legislative sessions. But the key to that victory was Democrats holding the line in the 1991 session against some very punishing pressure by Republican legislative leaders to increase the state sales tax 12.5 percent and 25 percent.
By holding the line on taxes, Democrats were able to campaign in 1992 on a "no more taxes" battle cry and expose the Republicans as being phonies on their self-description as fiscal conservatives. We see the same stars lining up again in Pierre with Gov. Mike Rounds fumbling with two different budget proposals and calling his GOP legislative majorities "lacking guts" to raise taxes and fix his budget dilemma.
The mid-point of the 40-session-day 2009 Legislature is Wednesday, yet for some GOP legislators, the strain already feels like the session must be much further along. No doubt, they'd like to hang together behind their Governor and behind their House Leader Bob Faehn and Senate Leader Dave Knudson, but their gut instincts are telling them they are headed for political disaster back home in their districts.
As GOP blogmeister Pat Powers said earlier in this newsletter, "for the group of Republicans proposing a temporary sales tax increase - those who we might term the 'tax-and-spend gang of nine' - what are they going to say to that jobless guy who is now combing the classifieds and stopping twice a week down at job service?"
As we near Day 20, we have to keep in mind that there is still plenty of time left. Much can happen and fortunes can spin around.
At the beginning of this session, Senator Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff introduced a common sense plan that solved the problems for the Fiscal Year 2010 budget without imposing tax hikes on people who are seriously strapped by the economy. To get out of the trap Rounds created for them with the false premise that either essential programs get eliminated or taxes must increase, Republican legislators have a third alternative. They could embrace the Democrats' plan to balance FY-2010's budget and move along.
For a happy result for both parties, two things must be off the table: Tax hikes and debilitating budget cuts on critically important programs. The money to balance the budget is available now. More money is coming from Congress. Republican legislators might want to tell Rounds the sky is not falling. Their Democratic colleagues really know what they're doing.
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre until April 1, 2009.
By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota. Please make your contribution online with ActBlue, or mail your check to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
Friday, January 30, 2009
[PenDems (134)] Billion resigns, Chapman acting Chair
Pendemorandum
BILLION: It's time for new leadership
to win back the Statehouse
SIOUX FALLS - South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jack Billion
today (Friday) announced he is resigning his state party position
to give the organization a new perspective to winning back the
governor's office for the first time in 31 years.
Billion's resignation makes Vice Chair Cheryl Chapman of Rapid City
the acting head of the state party until its State Central Committee
meets April 25 in Aberdeen for its annual McGovern Day.
Chapman said she is considering running for the position in April, but has not yet decided.
MORE: http://tinyurl.com/c73cbn
Rounds "goes Blago", chiding
Republican legislature
From the Statehouse Alert:
Gov Rounds: "I don't think this legislative body has the coordination
to do a two-thirds vote for a revenue increase." While the Governor
criticizes the Legislature for not wanting to raise sales taxes, the
Democrats have a proposed a plan that balances the budget without
a hefty tax hike.
MORE: http://tinyurl.com/cyymlb
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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
BILLION: It's time for new leadership
to win back the Statehouse
SIOUX FALLS - South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jack Billion
today (Friday) announced he is resigning his state party position
to give the organization a new perspective to winning back the
governor's office for the first time in 31 years.
Billion's resignation makes Vice Chair Cheryl Chapman of Rapid City
the acting head of the state party until its State Central Committee
meets April 25 in Aberdeen for its annual McGovern Day.
Chapman said she is considering running for the position in April, but has not yet decided.
MORE: http://tinyurl.com/c73cbn
Rounds "goes Blago", chiding
Republican legislature
From the Statehouse Alert:
Gov Rounds: "I don't think this legislative body has the coordination
to do a two-thirds vote for a revenue increase." While the Governor
criticizes the Legislature for not wanting to raise sales taxes, the
Democrats have a proposed a plan that balances the budget without
a hefty tax hike.
MORE: http://tinyurl.com/cyymlb
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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
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Billion resigns as Party Chair; our own Cheryl Chapman will lead
For additional information:
Cheryl Chapman 484-0334
Justin Lena 209-3236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009
BILLION: It's time for new leadership to win back the Statehouse
SIOUX FALLS - South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jack Billion today (Friday) announced he is resigning his state party position to give the organization a new perspective to winning back the governor's office for the first time in 31 years.
Billion's resignation makes Vice Chair Cheryl Chapman of Rapid City the acting head of the state party until its State Central Committee meets April 25 in Aberdeen for its annual McGovern Day. Chapman said she is considering running for the position in April, but has not yet decided.
"In March, I am turning 70 and it just seems like the right time for myself and the state party to make this shift," Billion, Sioux Falls, said.
Chapman, who was elected chair of the Pennington County Democratic Party in 2006, will turn the gavel over to Justin Lena, vice chair, while acting as the head of the state party. The county party is scheduled to hold biennial elections for officers in April in accordance with party rules.
"We know Cheryl will do a good job of steering the state party through the next few months," Lena said. "On the local level, we have a very deep bench with lots of experienced folks, so we look forward to filling our our executive board with competent leaders," he said.
Billion said that during his tenure "we've turned a critical corner repairing the financial and organizational resources of the South Dakota Democratic Party. We reversed the trend in voter registrations and for the first time in decades, we are growing in strength.
"Right now, we are starting the most intensive grassroots organizational drive since the '70s and I think this party will be in great shape to elect the first Democratic governor since 1978."
Billion, a retired surgeon, served in the S.D. Legislature in the early 1990s and ran for governor in 2006. Chapman operates a consulting firm in Rapid City that specializes in environmental engineering. She was elected to the Pennington County Commission in 1986 and 1990 and served a presidential appointment as principal deputy to the assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy during the President Bill Clinton Administration. While on the Pennington County Commission, she had served as its chair.
Cheryl Chapman 484-0334
Justin Lena 209-3236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009
BILLION: It's time for new leadership to win back the Statehouse
SIOUX FALLS - South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jack Billion today (Friday) announced he is resigning his state party position to give the organization a new perspective to winning back the governor's office for the first time in 31 years.
Billion's resignation makes Vice Chair Cheryl Chapman of Rapid City the acting head of the state party until its State Central Committee meets April 25 in Aberdeen for its annual McGovern Day. Chapman said she is considering running for the position in April, but has not yet decided.
"In March, I am turning 70 and it just seems like the right time for myself and the state party to make this shift," Billion, Sioux Falls, said.
Chapman, who was elected chair of the Pennington County Democratic Party in 2006, will turn the gavel over to Justin Lena, vice chair, while acting as the head of the state party. The county party is scheduled to hold biennial elections for officers in April in accordance with party rules.
"We know Cheryl will do a good job of steering the state party through the next few months," Lena said. "On the local level, we have a very deep bench with lots of experienced folks, so we look forward to filling our our executive board with competent leaders," he said.
Billion said that during his tenure "we've turned a critical corner repairing the financial and organizational resources of the South Dakota Democratic Party. We reversed the trend in voter registrations and for the first time in decades, we are growing in strength.
"Right now, we are starting the most intensive grassroots organizational drive since the '70s and I think this party will be in great shape to elect the first Democratic governor since 1978."
Billion, a retired surgeon, served in the S.D. Legislature in the early 1990s and ran for governor in 2006. Chapman operates a consulting firm in Rapid City that specializes in environmental engineering. She was elected to the Pennington County Commission in 1986 and 1990 and served a presidential appointment as principal deputy to the assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy during the President Bill Clinton Administration. While on the Pennington County Commission, she had served as its chair.
Statehouse Alert, Jan 30
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because it's time to bring change to Pierre.
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Rounds "goes Blago" with GOP legislators and leaders (oh yeah, Dems
too)
A talk with reporters, editors and publishers attending the S.D. Press Association's annual conference turned into a melt-down for Gov. Mike Rounds who accused the Republican-controlled Legislature of having no "guts" to raise taxes and fees. Here's a sample from today's Pierre Capital Journal in an article by Reporter David Montgomery:
"My message has been, if you want the program, then have the guts to fund it right. I don't think this legislative body has the coordination to do a two-thirds vote for a revenue increase." And: "If they did (pass a tax increase), they couldn't spend all the money. They have to put it back in and say, 'I had to raise your taxes but it's just to pay for the stuff that I'm already providing for you and that I've already delivered to you.' That's going to be a very difficult thing for this legislative body to do."
Presently, Republicans control both the House and the Senate. In the Senate, Republicans hold 21 out of 35 seats, led by Republican candidate for Governor Sen. Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls, and in the House, Republicans hold 46 out of 70 seats, led by Rep. Bob Faehn of Watertown. Knudson is a liberal Republican and Faehn is a soft-spoken moderate who was elected to leadership last month to replace Larry Rhoden.
Democratic leaders Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff introduced a package of budget cuts and revenue resources that didn't require raising taxes this year to balance Rounds' budget. They announced their package in a press conference in Sioux Falls on Jan. 19 as a common sense alternative.
A few days later, Rounds introduced his Do-Over Budget on Jan. 22 after realizing his Dec. 9 budget was off the mark by tens of millions of dollars. Rounds' second-budget attempts to force tax hikes by cutting the State Fair, the S.D. School for the Deaf, children and women health programs, and state support to school districts has stirred anger and disbelief among VIP Republicans throughout the state.
To read today's Pierre Capitol Journal article on Rounds' comments:
http://www.capjournal.com/articles/2009/01/30/news/doc49827e766d7bd157526156.txt
To review the Democratic leaders' budget plan, see Associated Press story:
http://www.yankton.net/articles/2009/01/20/news/doc49756c07c1392491496960.txt
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Rounds "goes Blago" with GOP legislators and leaders (oh yeah, Dems
too)
A talk with reporters, editors and publishers attending the S.D. Press Association's annual conference turned into a melt-down for Gov. Mike Rounds who accused the Republican-controlled Legislature of having no "guts" to raise taxes and fees. Here's a sample from today's Pierre Capital Journal in an article by Reporter David Montgomery:
"My message has been, if you want the program, then have the guts to fund it right. I don't think this legislative body has the coordination to do a two-thirds vote for a revenue increase." And: "If they did (pass a tax increase), they couldn't spend all the money. They have to put it back in and say, 'I had to raise your taxes but it's just to pay for the stuff that I'm already providing for you and that I've already delivered to you.' That's going to be a very difficult thing for this legislative body to do."
Presently, Republicans control both the House and the Senate. In the Senate, Republicans hold 21 out of 35 seats, led by Republican candidate for Governor Sen. Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls, and in the House, Republicans hold 46 out of 70 seats, led by Rep. Bob Faehn of Watertown. Knudson is a liberal Republican and Faehn is a soft-spoken moderate who was elected to leadership last month to replace Larry Rhoden.
Democratic leaders Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff introduced a package of budget cuts and revenue resources that didn't require raising taxes this year to balance Rounds' budget. They announced their package in a press conference in Sioux Falls on Jan. 19 as a common sense alternative.
A few days later, Rounds introduced his Do-Over Budget on Jan. 22 after realizing his Dec. 9 budget was off the mark by tens of millions of dollars. Rounds' second-budget attempts to force tax hikes by cutting the State Fair, the S.D. School for the Deaf, children and women health programs, and state support to school districts has stirred anger and disbelief among VIP Republicans throughout the state.
To read today's Pierre Capitol Journal article on Rounds' comments:
http://www.capjournal.com/articles/2009/01/30/news/doc49827e766d7bd157526156.txt
To review the Democratic leaders' budget plan, see Associated Press story:
http://www.yankton.net/articles/2009/01/20/news/doc49756c07c1392491496960.txt
Thursday, January 29, 2009
[PenDems (133)] Now who's partisan?
Pendemorandum
Sat, Jan 31: Crackerbarrel #2
Now Who's Partisan?
See you there!
Statehouse Alert!
Our three Republican-led branches of government
need watching -- and we're here to help!
Visit the West River Blue blog for archives of
StateHouse Alert, and make sure your legislator
(especially if he or she is Republican) are watching!
http://pendemocrats.blogspot.com
Attention 2008 Campaign Treasurers!
Don't forget that financial reports are due
in to the Secretary of State on Feb 2.
More details: http://tinyurl.com/sdreports
Ten a Month for 2010!
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
Sat, Jan 31: Crackerbarrel #2
Now Who's Partisan?
Come speak out at the second cracker barrel session Saturday, Jan. 31
at 9 a.m. in the classroom building at SDSM&T. Public questions will be
taken after 10-minute presentations by four legislators. Last week's session
included scolding from a certain senator who characterized straight forward,
factual questions as "partisan politics." Guess we're back to one party
representation in Pennington County unless the loyal opposition shows up.
at 9 a.m. in the classroom building at SDSM&T. Public questions will be
taken after 10-minute presentations by four legislators. Last week's session
included scolding from a certain senator who characterized straight forward,
factual questions as "partisan politics." Guess we're back to one party
representation in Pennington County unless the loyal opposition shows up.
Statehouse Alert!
Our three Republican-led branches of government
need watching -- and we're here to help!
Visit the West River Blue blog for archives of
StateHouse Alert, and make sure your legislator
(especially if he or she is Republican) are watching!
http://pendemocrats.blogspot.com
Attention 2008 Campaign Treasurers!
Don't forget that financial reports are due
in to the Secretary of State on Feb 2.
More details: http://tinyurl.com/sdreports
Ten a Month for 2010!
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
Statehouse Alert, Jan 29
STATEHOUSE ALERT
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because it's time to bring change to Pierre. Date: January 27, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Heidepriem takes Rounds to task over cooked state tourism stats
So far, only the Mitchell Daily Republic is reporting the biggest bombshell in Pierre since Gov. Mike Rounds' disastrous do-over budget. The Republic's Seth Tupper reported that Rounds was giving wrong information when he crowed last week that visitor spending in South Dakota increased by 2.8 percent in 2008, compared to 2007. Rounds' press release failed to mention that the report said tourism receipts were worse than 2007 when adjusted for inflation, which had jumped to 5.3 percent.
FROM THE DAILY REPUBLIC -- "The study upon which the announcement was based contained other information that was not as positive and was not mentioned in the announcement. For example: When adjusted for inflation, visitor spending actually decreased by 2.5 percent; the number of tourism-related jobs in the state fell by 901; and the amount of state sales-tax collections arising from vacation travelers fell by $500,000. None of that was mentioned in state Office of Tourism's announcement, which was sent to media outlets in the form of a press release titled '2008 Tourism Revenue Sets Record at $967 Million.'"
In a separate MDR news story Wednesday, Sen. Scott Heidepriem, Democratic Senate Leader, called Rounds' report "misinformation," adding, "They're misleading the public, and they're doing it deliberately." Heidepriem and others have been highly critical of the cozy relationship between Rounds and companies getting no-bid contracts, one of which is Lawrence & Schiller which gets an annual $7 million no-bid contract from the state tourism department.
Rounds was quoted in the tourism department press release as saying tourism receipts had hit a record, despite gas running up to $4 per gallon. However, the study (pdf document) put the numbers into perspective, noting "much of the increased overall spending by visitors in 2008 is traced to increased fuel costs."
Heidepriem said the bogus interpretation of the study further clouds public trust in the governor's office as to whether the public is being given factual information about state government and the economy: "The essential question in a time like this is 'what is a necessary service of state government, and is the proper allocation to short education and infants and the deaf and the elderly and favor the tourism advertising budget, knowing that the results are at best questionable?"
Rumors increase that Rounds is gathering hostages for sales tax hike
In the State Capitol and among groups targeted for cuts is word that Governor Mike Rounds is lining up budget hostages to force legislators to approve a 25 percent increase in the state sales tax.
"He really couldn't be more obvious lining up sacred cows for slaughter than this," one lobbyist said, asking to remain anonymous. "Rodeo clowns would be taxed. He's cutting aid to sparse school districts, aid to growing school districts, Medicaid, elderly programs, HPV vaccinations, infant and early childhood -- anything except the Highway Patrol because Gene Abdallah kicked his butt on that one.
"It's a very ugly list, so you know it's got to lead to something else, and we're hearing it's a big sales tax increase."
Using budget hostages has had mixed results for governors. Governor George Mickelson lined up about $7 million of budget sacred cows (including pheasant restoration and funds for veterans) to coerce the state legislature to create video lottery, which found the governor spending its revenues before video lottery existed. The tactic worked when the rules were changed to pass the budget items and video lottery on a simple majority. However, the tactic backfired in 1991 when Mickelson tried to increase the state sales tax and Democrats refused to support it. It set the stage for Democrats winning a state senate majority in the 1992 election.
AROUND THE STATE
- By Amanda Mattingly, SDDP Field Organizer
Hundreds of volunteers who found a new sense of activism in the 2008 Presidential Primary and general election are considering a new role in the South Dakota Democratic Party as precinct committee leaders and county party leaders. In Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Pierre, Brookings and other communities, people who worked on primary and general election campaigns to elect a Democratic president now want to work with other grassroots volunteers to bring change to Pierre.
Obama volunteers and Minnehaha County Democratic Party leaders are starting a recruitment drive to encourage volunteers to become precinct committee women and committee men before the county party elections are held in April. The precinct leaders and county party leaders are the only people eligible to vote for county party officers during April of each odd numbered year, according to the SDDP constitution. The county party positions which will be elected in April are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, State Central Committeeman and State Central Committeewoman to serve two-year terms. The goal in Minnehaha County is to fill all the precinct leader positions by March so that they can participate in the April election.
Democratic activists in other counties hope to capture the surge in activism created during the 2008 election, which also saw Democratic Party registrations jump up by more than 13,500 new Democrats in the state. They see the chaos in Pierre over Gov. Mike Rounds' do-over budget and scandals involving no-bid contracts, inappropriate government secrecy and the abuse of power as signs that one-party rule has outlived its welcome with voters.
Becoming a precinct leader is fundamental to the success of the South Dakota Democratic Party. The position is critical to the success of legislative and courthouse candidates, and to our hopes of winning the Governor's election in 2010. It also has its perks. Precinct leaders vote in county party meetings, and they also become automatic delegates to the South Dakota Democratic Party State Convention, which will be in Sioux Falls in June 2010. For more information, contact the SDDP office at 605-271-5405, or send me an email at amandam2282--at--gmail.com.
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre until April 1, 2009.
By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota. Make your contribution online with ActBlue: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/8385
Or mail your check to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because it's time to bring change to Pierre. Date: January 27, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Heidepriem takes Rounds to task over cooked state tourism stats
So far, only the Mitchell Daily Republic is reporting the biggest bombshell in Pierre since Gov. Mike Rounds' disastrous do-over budget. The Republic's Seth Tupper reported that Rounds was giving wrong information when he crowed last week that visitor spending in South Dakota increased by 2.8 percent in 2008, compared to 2007. Rounds' press release failed to mention that the report said tourism receipts were worse than 2007 when adjusted for inflation, which had jumped to 5.3 percent.
FROM THE DAILY REPUBLIC -- "The study upon which the announcement was based contained other information that was not as positive and was not mentioned in the announcement. For example: When adjusted for inflation, visitor spending actually decreased by 2.5 percent; the number of tourism-related jobs in the state fell by 901; and the amount of state sales-tax collections arising from vacation travelers fell by $500,000. None of that was mentioned in state Office of Tourism's announcement, which was sent to media outlets in the form of a press release titled '2008 Tourism Revenue Sets Record at $967 Million.'"
In a separate MDR news story Wednesday, Sen. Scott Heidepriem, Democratic Senate Leader, called Rounds' report "misinformation," adding, "They're misleading the public, and they're doing it deliberately." Heidepriem and others have been highly critical of the cozy relationship between Rounds and companies getting no-bid contracts, one of which is Lawrence & Schiller which gets an annual $7 million no-bid contract from the state tourism department.
Rounds was quoted in the tourism department press release as saying tourism receipts had hit a record, despite gas running up to $4 per gallon. However, the study (pdf document) put the numbers into perspective, noting "much of the increased overall spending by visitors in 2008 is traced to increased fuel costs."
Heidepriem said the bogus interpretation of the study further clouds public trust in the governor's office as to whether the public is being given factual information about state government and the economy: "The essential question in a time like this is 'what is a necessary service of state government, and is the proper allocation to short education and infants and the deaf and the elderly and favor the tourism advertising budget, knowing that the results are at best questionable?"
Jan. 27 Daily Republic article on cooked tourism data:
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/articles/index.cfm?id=3153
Jan. 28 Daily Republic article on Heidepriem's response:
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/articles/index.cfm?id=31550§ion=news
Official 2008 Economic & Fiscal Impact Study
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/pdfs/08econrpt.pdf
State Tourism press release which selectively quotes the study:
http://www.travelsd.com/newsroom/pressreleases/tourism.asp?id=568
Rumors increase that Rounds is gathering hostages for sales tax hike
In the State Capitol and among groups targeted for cuts is word that Governor Mike Rounds is lining up budget hostages to force legislators to approve a 25 percent increase in the state sales tax.
"He really couldn't be more obvious lining up sacred cows for slaughter than this," one lobbyist said, asking to remain anonymous. "Rodeo clowns would be taxed. He's cutting aid to sparse school districts, aid to growing school districts, Medicaid, elderly programs, HPV vaccinations, infant and early childhood -- anything except the Highway Patrol because Gene Abdallah kicked his butt on that one.
"It's a very ugly list, so you know it's got to lead to something else, and we're hearing it's a big sales tax increase."
Using budget hostages has had mixed results for governors. Governor George Mickelson lined up about $7 million of budget sacred cows (including pheasant restoration and funds for veterans) to coerce the state legislature to create video lottery, which found the governor spending its revenues before video lottery existed. The tactic worked when the rules were changed to pass the budget items and video lottery on a simple majority. However, the tactic backfired in 1991 when Mickelson tried to increase the state sales tax and Democrats refused to support it. It set the stage for Democrats winning a state senate majority in the 1992 election.
AROUND THE STATE
- By Amanda Mattingly, SDDP Field Organizer
Hundreds of volunteers who found a new sense of activism in the 2008 Presidential Primary and general election are considering a new role in the South Dakota Democratic Party as precinct committee leaders and county party leaders. In Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Pierre, Brookings and other communities, people who worked on primary and general election campaigns to elect a Democratic president now want to work with other grassroots volunteers to bring change to Pierre.
Obama volunteers and Minnehaha County Democratic Party leaders are starting a recruitment drive to encourage volunteers to become precinct committee women and committee men before the county party elections are held in April. The precinct leaders and county party leaders are the only people eligible to vote for county party officers during April of each odd numbered year, according to the SDDP constitution. The county party positions which will be elected in April are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, State Central Committeeman and State Central Committeewoman to serve two-year terms. The goal in Minnehaha County is to fill all the precinct leader positions by March so that they can participate in the April election.
Democratic activists in other counties hope to capture the surge in activism created during the 2008 election, which also saw Democratic Party registrations jump up by more than 13,500 new Democrats in the state. They see the chaos in Pierre over Gov. Mike Rounds' do-over budget and scandals involving no-bid contracts, inappropriate government secrecy and the abuse of power as signs that one-party rule has outlived its welcome with voters.
Becoming a precinct leader is fundamental to the success of the South Dakota Democratic Party. The position is critical to the success of legislative and courthouse candidates, and to our hopes of winning the Governor's election in 2010. It also has its perks. Precinct leaders vote in county party meetings, and they also become automatic delegates to the South Dakota Democratic Party State Convention, which will be in Sioux Falls in June 2010. For more information, contact the SDDP office at 605-271-5405, or send me an email at amandam2282--at--gmail.com.
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre until April 1, 2009.
By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota. Make your contribution online with ActBlue: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/8385
Or mail your check to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Statehouse Alert, Jan 25
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because
it's time to bring change to Pierre.
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Rounds' Do-Over Budget hits the rocks at Saturday crackerbarrels
It's not that Gov. Mike Rounds didn't see times getting worse when he delivered his first proposed state budget in December. He announced his plans to renege on education spending, but not nearly to the shocking extent of his Do-Over Budget which was finally announced Thursday when Rounds said he offered $46.2 million in cuts, making education and health care his top targets for the knife. Rounds' Do-Over Budget would kill the State Fair (which has been funded since 1885), the State School for the Deaf (started in 1880) and the South Dakota Arts Council, for starters.
Democratic legislators Monday offered a much smarter plan to meet the state's essential needs within available resources, and it did not kill the State Fair, the State School for the Deaf and the S.D. Arts Council. And some Republicans are now talking about running away from Rounds' disastrous budget proposal.
At legislative coffees Saturday, the GOP legislators stuck close to their pre-fabbed talking points mimicking the Governor's doom and gloom spiel and offering no other vision than cut, cut, cut, cut and oh geez that's too bad.
In Rapid City, where there are no Democratic legislators, the cut cut cut talk turned to Rep. Ed McLaughlin's idea to force consolidation of rural school districts by raising the minimum number of students from 100 to 250 in a four-year period. McLaughlin theorized that such forced consolidations would generate significant savings, a theory which is widely disputed. The Rapid City area Republican legislators backed away from committing to a $13.4 million higher education center in Rapid City. In saying he'd vote against it, Rep. Mark Kirkeby also said he supports it, adding "No one can dispute the rewards in higher education."
In Sioux Falls, Sen. Scott Heidepriem, D-Sioux Falls, warned that while Rounds' budget might cut state revenues, some decisions only shoves funding onto property taxes. An example was sloughing adult Medicaid dental care might remove $1.4 million from the state budget, but the bill would be shifted to county governments' indigent care costs. Representative Susy Blake, D-Sioux Falls, said cutting $2.1 million from early intervention for infant and toddlers with developmental delays would increase costs later in drug and alcohol treatment programs and in prison costs.
Rounds clings to government secrecy position:
Trust me, everybody else is wrong.
If there's been any issue which screams for the need to bring change it's the stubborn refusal to create "a presumption of openness" to make public records, um, public. Keeping the gag on public records is what Governor Mike Rounds and his supporters in Pierre say they want, even though the gag prevents elected leaders and Joe the American Citizen from getting information about how the public's taxes are spent.
Such was the case for Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls, who sought information on state aircraft and got the door shut by Rounds' political appointees until Abdallah blew the whistle to the media. And such was the case about the governor's airplane flight logs and data until the Argus Leader blew the whistle and voters quashed Rounds' secret flight records with a constitutional amendment passed in 2006. And such is still the case for non-bid state contracts which rewarded millions and hundreds of thousands of your taxes under the radar of public scrutiny until the Rapid City Journal began digging into them.
Republican Senate Leader Dave Knutson, a candidate for governor running against Rounds' choice for governor Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, has flipped his position on "presumption of openness." Last year, when Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry, D-Watertown, offered the only real open records legislation, Knutson led the fight against it. Now he's offering a version of Nebraska's "presumption of openness" law, which will probably get axed by Rounds' supporters in the Legislature.
Pressuring Rounds and the Republicans in Pierre to remove the gag is the order from President Barack Obama to open government records at the federal level, which was criticized by Rounds in an Associated Press article.
Who's Rounds afraid of revealing records to? You. Joe the Citizen and Joan the Citizen. You get the mushroom treatment. What about other states? For the record, the Turbak Berry bill is the standard in most states, and nothing bad happened. And now President Barack Obama is making presumption of openness the law for the federal government. South Dakota has the most
repressive public records laws in the United States. Why is that?
Sioux Falls area volunteer food drive dramatically exceeds goals
An entirely volunteer-driven effort to gather canned foods and personal necessities for poor and homeless people far exceeded goals to gather 3 tons of items. They gathered 7 tons and more than $2,300 in cash donations. That's 7 tons!!!
The drive was led by Cathy Avery and Richard Reedy and gathered items Jan. 17-19 as part of the National Day of Service, which had been requested as a non-partisan public service by President Barack Obama. It honored the Martin Luther King Holiday and the Presidential Inauguration.
Avery said 19 stores and many service and labor union organizations joined in the effort. The items were delivered to the Food Bank of South Dakota. She said the food drive will be conducted each year and that she hopes it will expand into a statewide effort in two years.
AROUND THE STATE
by Rick Hauffe, SDDP Executive Director
Hope and trust came back home to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and you could see it in everybody's face in the city. Having lived in the Washington area (1967-1974) and visited it frequently for business and pleasure, I saw a change -- perhaps temporary -- in attitudes among its inhabitants. Subtle tensions, particularly on buses and Metro train, were gone. People smiled a lot this past week. On the street, if you said "hi" or "howdy," you'd get a similar response -- frequently.
Standing in the D.C. chill Tuesday morning among 2 million people was an experience in bonding with the new feeling of hope and trust. Cynicism was gone except when President Bush and Vice President Cheney came onto the inauguration stage. Their tenure seemed like a very bad and painful dream. Those feelings washed away when the Obama family walked onto the stage. The confidence and optimism was contagious. "I just can't believe the difference between the new attitude in Washington and how they're approaching things in Pierre," one of the South Dakotans who attended the inauguration said yesterday in a phone conversation. "The difference is overwhelming."
Photo detail stolen with accreditation from Hog House BlogThe stark difference came through in the weekend crackerbarrels. In Sioux Falls, Democratic legislators dramatically outnumbered the two Republicans who were onstage. The discussion centered on alternatives and a general rejection of the tone and direction set by the Governor. In Rapid City, an observer told me the statements from the GOP legislators failed to inspire anyone, and, in fact, left folks feeling depressed. The Republicans are caught somewhere between complaining about Rounds and blindly following the leader -- because that's all they've ever done in Pierre.
Whether we like it or not, and whether or not we think Rounds is handling the budget crisis competently, all South Dakotans are in the same economic soup. It's alarming for a Governor in the last half of his second term in office to appear blind to or in denial of economic realities until only a few weeks ago. His rejection of presumption of openness standards on the heels of a scandal of how his office uses non-bid contracts and another scandal that he is still withholding public records on state airplane usage only serves to lower public confidence at a vulnerable time for our state. And today in the Rapid City Journal, he called people in his own political party "ignorant" for pointing out that in his seventh year as Governor, he has added 1,400 more fulltime state employees while claiming he is a fiscal conservative.
This session is very important for the fiscal health of our state, for the future jobs prospects of our state and for the next generation of leaders when Rounds leaves office in a little less than two years. I think people of our state are impressed with what's happening in Washington and the positive "yes we can" attitude to solving the massively difficult problems left by the Bush/Cheney/Rove/Libby/Rumsfeld administration. This attitude does not exist in Pierre ... except in the Democratic legislative caucus where Senate Leader Scott Heidepriem and House Leader Bernie Hunhoff have offered a clear, concise, common sense alternative that solves the current budget mess.
It's been 31 years since South Dakota had a Democratic Governor administration. Since then, one-party rule has controlled the governor's office and both chambers of the legislature, and the big pocketbook problems facing South Dakota remained unchanged -- miserably low pay, unfair taxation, no health care leadership, paltry progress on wind energy, and a failing, ailing infrastructure. We can do better.
I'm hopeful of our party's prospects in 2010. Trust in state government is at a new low. The public needs to know there really is a better alternative to more of the same. South Dakota can turn blue if you want it to. Please be part of the change we're trying to bring to Pierre.
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre.
Please help us today with your check to SDDP for $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford today. By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. To contribute, mail your check today to
SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
it's time to bring change to Pierre.
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Rounds' Do-Over Budget hits the rocks at Saturday crackerbarrels
It's not that Gov. Mike Rounds didn't see times getting worse when he delivered his first proposed state budget in December. He announced his plans to renege on education spending, but not nearly to the shocking extent of his Do-Over Budget which was finally announced Thursday when Rounds said he offered $46.2 million in cuts, making education and health care his top targets for the knife. Rounds' Do-Over Budget would kill the State Fair (which has been funded since 1885), the State School for the Deaf (started in 1880) and the South Dakota Arts Council, for starters.
Democratic legislators Monday offered a much smarter plan to meet the state's essential needs within available resources, and it did not kill the State Fair, the State School for the Deaf and the S.D. Arts Council. And some Republicans are now talking about running away from Rounds' disastrous budget proposal.
At legislative coffees Saturday, the GOP legislators stuck close to their pre-fabbed talking points mimicking the Governor's doom and gloom spiel and offering no other vision than cut, cut, cut, cut and oh geez that's too bad.
In Rapid City, where there are no Democratic legislators, the cut cut cut talk turned to Rep. Ed McLaughlin's idea to force consolidation of rural school districts by raising the minimum number of students from 100 to 250 in a four-year period. McLaughlin theorized that such forced consolidations would generate significant savings, a theory which is widely disputed. The Rapid City area Republican legislators backed away from committing to a $13.4 million higher education center in Rapid City. In saying he'd vote against it, Rep. Mark Kirkeby also said he supports it, adding "No one can dispute the rewards in higher education."
In Sioux Falls, Sen. Scott Heidepriem, D-Sioux Falls, warned that while Rounds' budget might cut state revenues, some decisions only shoves funding onto property taxes. An example was sloughing adult Medicaid dental care might remove $1.4 million from the state budget, but the bill would be shifted to county governments' indigent care costs. Representative Susy Blake, D-Sioux Falls, said cutting $2.1 million from early intervention for infant and toddlers with developmental delays would increase costs later in drug and alcohol treatment programs and in prison costs.
Rounds clings to government secrecy position:
Trust me, everybody else is wrong.
If there's been any issue which screams for the need to bring change it's the stubborn refusal to create "a presumption of openness" to make public records, um, public. Keeping the gag on public records is what Governor Mike Rounds and his supporters in Pierre say they want, even though the gag prevents elected leaders and Joe the American Citizen from getting information about how the public's taxes are spent.
Such was the case for Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls, who sought information on state aircraft and got the door shut by Rounds' political appointees until Abdallah blew the whistle to the media. And such was the case about the governor's airplane flight logs and data until the Argus Leader blew the whistle and voters quashed Rounds' secret flight records with a constitutional amendment passed in 2006. And such is still the case for non-bid state contracts which rewarded millions and hundreds of thousands of your taxes under the radar of public scrutiny until the Rapid City Journal began digging into them.
Republican Senate Leader Dave Knutson, a candidate for governor running against Rounds' choice for governor Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, has flipped his position on "presumption of openness." Last year, when Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry, D-Watertown, offered the only real open records legislation, Knutson led the fight against it. Now he's offering a version of Nebraska's "presumption of openness" law, which will probably get axed by Rounds' supporters in the Legislature.
Pressuring Rounds and the Republicans in Pierre to remove the gag is the order from President Barack Obama to open government records at the federal level, which was criticized by Rounds in an Associated Press article.
Who's Rounds afraid of revealing records to? You. Joe the Citizen and Joan the Citizen. You get the mushroom treatment. What about other states? For the record, the Turbak Berry bill is the standard in most states, and nothing bad happened. And now President Barack Obama is making presumption of openness the law for the federal government. South Dakota has the most
repressive public records laws in the United States. Why is that?
Sioux Falls area volunteer food drive dramatically exceeds goals
An entirely volunteer-driven effort to gather canned foods and personal necessities for poor and homeless people far exceeded goals to gather 3 tons of items. They gathered 7 tons and more than $2,300 in cash donations. That's 7 tons!!!
The drive was led by Cathy Avery and Richard Reedy and gathered items Jan. 17-19 as part of the National Day of Service, which had been requested as a non-partisan public service by President Barack Obama. It honored the Martin Luther King Holiday and the Presidential Inauguration.
Avery said 19 stores and many service and labor union organizations joined in the effort. The items were delivered to the Food Bank of South Dakota. She said the food drive will be conducted each year and that she hopes it will expand into a statewide effort in two years.
AROUND THE STATE
by Rick Hauffe, SDDP Executive Director
Hope and trust came back home to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and you could see it in everybody's face in the city. Having lived in the Washington area (1967-1974) and visited it frequently for business and pleasure, I saw a change -- perhaps temporary -- in attitudes among its inhabitants. Subtle tensions, particularly on buses and Metro train, were gone. People smiled a lot this past week. On the street, if you said "hi" or "howdy," you'd get a similar response -- frequently.Standing in the D.C. chill Tuesday morning among 2 million people was an experience in bonding with the new feeling of hope and trust. Cynicism was gone except when President Bush and Vice President Cheney came onto the inauguration stage. Their tenure seemed like a very bad and painful dream. Those feelings washed away when the Obama family walked onto the stage. The confidence and optimism was contagious. "I just can't believe the difference between the new attitude in Washington and how they're approaching things in Pierre," one of the South Dakotans who attended the inauguration said yesterday in a phone conversation. "The difference is overwhelming."
Photo detail stolen with accreditation from Hog House BlogThe stark difference came through in the weekend crackerbarrels. In Sioux Falls, Democratic legislators dramatically outnumbered the two Republicans who were onstage. The discussion centered on alternatives and a general rejection of the tone and direction set by the Governor. In Rapid City, an observer told me the statements from the GOP legislators failed to inspire anyone, and, in fact, left folks feeling depressed. The Republicans are caught somewhere between complaining about Rounds and blindly following the leader -- because that's all they've ever done in Pierre. Whether we like it or not, and whether or not we think Rounds is handling the budget crisis competently, all South Dakotans are in the same economic soup. It's alarming for a Governor in the last half of his second term in office to appear blind to or in denial of economic realities until only a few weeks ago. His rejection of presumption of openness standards on the heels of a scandal of how his office uses non-bid contracts and another scandal that he is still withholding public records on state airplane usage only serves to lower public confidence at a vulnerable time for our state. And today in the Rapid City Journal, he called people in his own political party "ignorant" for pointing out that in his seventh year as Governor, he has added 1,400 more fulltime state employees while claiming he is a fiscal conservative.
This session is very important for the fiscal health of our state, for the future jobs prospects of our state and for the next generation of leaders when Rounds leaves office in a little less than two years. I think people of our state are impressed with what's happening in Washington and the positive "yes we can" attitude to solving the massively difficult problems left by the Bush/Cheney/Rove/Libby/Rumsfeld administration. This attitude does not exist in Pierre ... except in the Democratic legislative caucus where Senate Leader Scott Heidepriem and House Leader Bernie Hunhoff have offered a clear, concise, common sense alternative that solves the current budget mess.
It's been 31 years since South Dakota had a Democratic Governor administration. Since then, one-party rule has controlled the governor's office and both chambers of the legislature, and the big pocketbook problems facing South Dakota remained unchanged -- miserably low pay, unfair taxation, no health care leadership, paltry progress on wind energy, and a failing, ailing infrastructure. We can do better.
I'm hopeful of our party's prospects in 2010. Trust in state government is at a new low. The public needs to know there really is a better alternative to more of the same. South Dakota can turn blue if you want it to. Please be part of the change we're trying to bring to Pierre.
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre.
Please help us today with your check to SDDP for $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford today. By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. To contribute, mail your check today to
SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Political contributions are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
[PenDems (132)] Fwd: Inaugural Ball
Pendemorandum
Happy Inauguration Day everyone! Please see the note below from Bob Wilson of the Lawrence County Dems...
also:
Thursday, 1/22/09, 6-8 pm
Pennington County Democratic Party monthly meeting.
Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St
Let's celebrate!
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
Happy Inauguration Day everyone! Please see the note below from Bob Wilson of the Lawrence County Dems...
also:
Thursday, 1/22/09, 6-8 pm
Pennington County Democratic Party monthly meeting.
Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St
Let's celebrate!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bob Wilson <frogworks@rushmore.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Subject: Inaugural Ball
From: Bob Wilson <frogworks@rushmore.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Subject: Inaugural Ball
Just a reminder that we'll be celebrating Barack Obama's inauguration tomorrow night at the Martin Mason Hotel in Deadwood. The committee has made the decision to get rid of the $40 at the door price; all tickets are $25 ($15 for students). Please come and join us for an historic evening. Hospitality rooms open at 5 pm, the ball starts at 8 pm.
I would also like to clarify any questions regarding alcohol - the Martin Mason Hotel will have a bar set up in the third floor ballroom and will have beer and wine for sale. Pennington and Lawrence County will have hospitality rooms on the second floor and will be serving hard liquor there. Only beer and wine may be consumed on the third floor and first floor casino. Attendees are encouraged to bring bottles to donate to the hospitality room bars; mixed drinks may only be consumed on the second floor (where the hotel/hospitality rooms are.)
If anyone has any questions about anything please email me or call me at 717-3220 or 591-2706.
Bob Wilson
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
Friday, January 16, 2009
[PenDems (131)] National Day of Service and SD Inaugural Ball reminder!
PenDemorandum
This was sent around last night by solid-gold Dem Kristen Aschenbrenner... please consider joining us this weekend and next week!
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
This was sent around last night by solid-gold Dem Kristen Aschenbrenner... please consider joining us this weekend and next week!
From: Kristin <kaschen@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Subject: National Day of Service and SD Inaugural Ball
Date: Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Subject: National Day of Service and SD Inaugural Ball
Dear friends,
I wanted to let you know about some upcoming events in our community.
I am currently the regional leader for the National Day of Service, which will take place on Monday, January 19th to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King jr. There are many opportunities to serve in our community.
I have listed several of the opportunities below.
You can find additional events planned in South Dakota here: http://www.usaservice.org/content/home/
We also will be holding an Inaugural Ball non-partisan ball on January 20th. Here are the details:
Black Hills Inaugural Ball
An evening of bi-partisan celebration! The $25 ticket price includes hors d'oeuvres, a live dance band, partially hosted bar and plenty of fun. You are welcome to have dinner on your own before the ball and arrive later for the party. Dress is "South Dakota formal," typically blue jeans, black tie and cowboy hat for gentlemen. Please RSVP to: sdinaugural@gmail.com
| Time: | Tuesday, January 20 5:00 PM - January 21 1:00 AM |
|---|---|
| Host: | Jane Murphy |
| Location: | Martin and Mason Hotel Ball Room (Deadwood, SD) 33 Deadwood Street Deadwood, SD 57732 Maps:
|
National Day of Service
Food and Clothing Drive for Children's Village(Day of Service - January 19)
Wakanyeja Tiospaye O'Tipi, Inc. is a Lakota based emergency placement for children on the Pine Ridge Reservation. This private non-profit organization, located in the Pine Ridge Village, was formerly known as "Children's Village."
Wakanyeja Tiospae O'Tipi needs the following items:
Non-perishable Food Items and Non-perishable Milk
Diapers (Newborns on Up)
Baby Supplies including Onesies, Bottles, Pacifiers, Clothing, Blankets, etc. (Newborns on Up)
New or Gently Used Toys (Please only New Stuffed Animals)
Wakanyeja Tiospae O'Tipi needs the following items:
Non-perishable Food Items and Non-perishable Milk
Diapers (Newborns on Up)
Baby Supplies including Onesies, Bottles, Pacifiers, Clothing, Blankets, etc. (Newborns on Up)
New or Gently Used Toys (Please only New Stuffed Animals)
| TIME: | Monday, January 19 |
|---|---|
| HOST: | Kristin Aschenbrenner |
| LOCATION: | Drop Off Location: Dakota Travel (Rapid City, SD) 1511 Mount Rushmore Road Rapid City, SD 57701 |
Black Hills Humane Society- Office Work/Phone Calls/Dog Walking/Kennel Work (Day of Service - January 19)
Our mission is: The prevention of cruelty to animals, the relief of suffering among animals, and the extension of humane education for the public. To provide humane care and treatment for all animals needing protection within the area served by the Humane Society of the Black Hills; to seek to return lost animals to their owners; to seek suitable home for animals without owners, and to provide humane euthanasia when necessary.
| TIME: | Monday, January 19 10:00 AM |
|---|---|
| HOST: | Stephanie . |
| CONTACT PHONE: | 605-394-4170 |
| LOCATION: | Black Hills Humane Society (Rapid City, SD) 1820 East St. Patrick Rapid City, SD 57701 |
Volunteer Fair at the Library(Weekend Events - January 17 or 18)
Can't commit to volunteering on Monday? Looking for a more long-term volunteering opportunity?
We will be hosting a Rapid City Area Volunteer Fair at the Public Library. Various local organizations will be present to talk about volunteer opportunities and/or to hand out wish lists.
Stop by anytime between 12:00 and 3:00 pm.
For more details, call: Kristin Aschenbrenner at 630-204-1423 or Deanna Dowlin 605-430-5715
We will be hosting a Rapid City Area Volunteer Fair at the Public Library. Various local organizations will be present to talk about volunteer opportunities and/or to hand out wish lists.
Stop by anytime between 12:00 and 3:00 pm.
For more details, call: Kristin Aschenbrenner at 630-204-1423 or Deanna Dowlin 605-430-5715
| TIME: | Saturday, January 17 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
|---|---|
| HOST: | Kristin Aschenbrenner |
| LOCATION: | Rapid City Public Library (Rapid City, SD) 610 Quincy Street Rapid City, SD 57701 |
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Statehouse Alert, Jan 15
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because it's time to bring change to Pierre.
Date: January 15, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Rounds' Do-Over Budget: Wasted days and wasted nights
Here's the link to the Argus Leader story on the tedium caused by Gov. Rounds' inability to deliver an accurate budget on time (http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090114/NEWS/901140305/1001/news ). Legislators in both parties are concerned that the delay in getting a budget until Jan. 22 is going to make it difficult to make sound judgments about how to assign the top spending priorities in the next fiscal year. Democratic legislators thought Rounds' speech Tuesday was shallow and left
the legislature in the dark on how to prepare for fiscal challenges.
Democratic leaders say they won't wait for Rounds to come up with a solution next week that relies on hiking property taxes and passing a laundry list of higher state taxes and fees. The Democratic leaders will start to unveil their new plan Friday morning at a State Capitol press conference. Details of the Democratic strategy for the new budget will be detailed in the next STATEHOUSE ALERT as they are released in the next few days.
Don't forget to catch Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff tonight on South Dakota Public Television's "Statehouse Tonight" program. It starts at 8 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain, and will also feature their GOP counterparts to discuss the 2009 session and Rounds' do over budget.
New direction in Washington will bring new opportunities for South Dakota
Some of the buzz around the State Capitol is over what could be in store for jump-starting South Dakota's stalled economy from the major jobs and economic recovery legislation offered by President-elect Barack Obama and counter offers in Congress.
The U.S. House Democrats launched an $825 billion version that gives less to individual tax cuts and more to local government projects than Obama's. Observers in Washington say it will be February before the votes are taken on the package. What does it mean for SouthDakota?
For starters, it means new employment at a time when hundreds of South Dakotans have lost their jobs since Jan. 1. City, county and state governments have their own wish lists, and there will be as many ideas of projects discussed as there are members of Congress. Advocates for wind energy foresee an opportunity to rebuild the nation's electrical grid, which could unlock South Dakota's wind generation potential. South Dakota has the fourth highest potential in the nation, but ranks only 26th in wind energy generation.
Governor Mike Rounds announced in December that one of his budget austerity measures is to refrain from attending the Obama Inaugural next week, which may save the state hundreds of -- perhaps a couple thousand -- dollars. With Congress and a new President deciding funds that will certainly create jobs and upgraded infrastructure in South Dakota, maybe Rounds should reconsider the importance of the trip and meet with our congressional delegation after he congratulates the new President.
Sioux Falls area volunteers conduct massive food drive for needy
An entirely volunteer-driven effort to gather canned foods and personal necessities for poor and homeless people is under way in the Sioux Falls area as part of a National Day of Service. The concept was requested as a non-partisan event by President-elect Barack Obama as a prelude to the Martin Luther King Holiday on Monday and the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday.
The food drive is gathering items Jan. 17-18. Food items sought include hamburger and tuna helpers, meats and stews, boxes of saltine crackers, snacks and cookies, packaged chips, grape jelly, jars of peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables and bags and boxes of cold cereals. Personal items sought include toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, skin lotion and hard soap bars. In Sioux Falls, the items will be given to the Food Service Center, and the contact is Richard Reedy at 605-361-2036 or email richardkreedy@sio.midco.net.
Cathy Avery, one of the drive organizers, said she hopes to hold the drive each year and that it could become statewide in two years.
AROUND THE STATE - By Matt McLarty, SDDP Legislative Director
Keep an eye out for the press conference Friday with the Democratic legislative leadership on their solution to Gov. Mike Rounds' budget dilemma. The governor is back to the drawing board to deliver a "do over" budget on Wednesday. I think the plan delivered by Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff tomorrow morning and the next few days will be a lot more in touch with current problems and realistic resources.
In case you don't know, my job for the South Dakota Democratic Party is to work with Bernie, Scott and our Democratic Senators and House Members on strategy, public relations and issue development. Rick Hauffe, the SDDP Executive Director, also works on the Legislative session while Field Organizer Amanda Mattingly is assigned to working with local precinct, county and legislative district leaders to put our State Party into top shape for the 2010 election cycle. Our goals for 2010 are as big as our
opportunity to bring change to Pierre ... as long as we remain focused and committed to bringing change.
Our SDDP Chair Jack Billion is a former legislator who has developed a 35-District Strategy to winning back the State Legislature and electing a Democratic Governor for the first time since Dick Kneip and Harvey Wollman left office in 1978. To Jack and all of us on the SDDP staff, winning elections in 2010 goes beyond just winning. It's about solving longstanding problems that have remained virtually unchallenged since Pierre became the captive of one-party rule in 1979.
The Republican Party has had it their way with legislative majorities and GOP governors since 1979, and still the major problems remain unsolved for working families in all 66 counties of our state, our children's public education systems, health care reform, and the severe hardships and challenges on the reservations and for Native People.
It is time for a change in Pierre, and it all starts here at the State Capitol with the 2009 Legislature. One-party rule here in Pierre, with a do-over budget and a record of no significant economic growth in the last several years, has proved itself incompetent for South Dakota's future. As Democrats, we have a chance to prove to the people there is a better way.
As Jack Billion has said, there is no problem in South Dakota that can't be fixed with the restoration of a truly two-party government in Pierre. But first, we've got to fix the Democratic Party in our state. I hope you agree and will help us make a difference for our state's future by investing in our campaign for change. Thanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre.
Please help us today with your check to SDDP for $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford today. By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. To contribute, mail your check today to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Your contribution is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes. Federal Election law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Your contribution will be used in connection with Federal elections and is subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Date: January 15, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORIES
Rounds' Do-Over Budget: Wasted days and wasted nights
Here's the link to the Argus Leader story on the tedium caused by Gov. Rounds' inability to deliver an accurate budget on time (http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090114/NEWS/901140305/1001/news ). Legislators in both parties are concerned that the delay in getting a budget until Jan. 22 is going to make it difficult to make sound judgments about how to assign the top spending priorities in the next fiscal year. Democratic legislators thought Rounds' speech Tuesday was shallow and left
the legislature in the dark on how to prepare for fiscal challenges.
Democratic leaders say they won't wait for Rounds to come up with a solution next week that relies on hiking property taxes and passing a laundry list of higher state taxes and fees. The Democratic leaders will start to unveil their new plan Friday morning at a State Capitol press conference. Details of the Democratic strategy for the new budget will be detailed in the next STATEHOUSE ALERT as they are released in the next few days.
Don't forget to catch Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff tonight on South Dakota Public Television's "Statehouse Tonight" program. It starts at 8 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain, and will also feature their GOP counterparts to discuss the 2009 session and Rounds' do over budget.
New direction in Washington will bring new opportunities for South Dakota
Some of the buzz around the State Capitol is over what could be in store for jump-starting South Dakota's stalled economy from the major jobs and economic recovery legislation offered by President-elect Barack Obama and counter offers in Congress.
The U.S. House Democrats launched an $825 billion version that gives less to individual tax cuts and more to local government projects than Obama's. Observers in Washington say it will be February before the votes are taken on the package. What does it mean for SouthDakota?
For starters, it means new employment at a time when hundreds of South Dakotans have lost their jobs since Jan. 1. City, county and state governments have their own wish lists, and there will be as many ideas of projects discussed as there are members of Congress. Advocates for wind energy foresee an opportunity to rebuild the nation's electrical grid, which could unlock South Dakota's wind generation potential. South Dakota has the fourth highest potential in the nation, but ranks only 26th in wind energy generation.
Governor Mike Rounds announced in December that one of his budget austerity measures is to refrain from attending the Obama Inaugural next week, which may save the state hundreds of -- perhaps a couple thousand -- dollars. With Congress and a new President deciding funds that will certainly create jobs and upgraded infrastructure in South Dakota, maybe Rounds should reconsider the importance of the trip and meet with our congressional delegation after he congratulates the new President.
Sioux Falls area volunteers conduct massive food drive for needy
An entirely volunteer-driven effort to gather canned foods and personal necessities for poor and homeless people is under way in the Sioux Falls area as part of a National Day of Service. The concept was requested as a non-partisan event by President-elect Barack Obama as a prelude to the Martin Luther King Holiday on Monday and the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday.
The food drive is gathering items Jan. 17-18. Food items sought include hamburger and tuna helpers, meats and stews, boxes of saltine crackers, snacks and cookies, packaged chips, grape jelly, jars of peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables and bags and boxes of cold cereals. Personal items sought include toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, skin lotion and hard soap bars. In Sioux Falls, the items will be given to the Food Service Center, and the contact is Richard Reedy at 605-361-2036 or email richardkreedy@sio.midco.net.
Cathy Avery, one of the drive organizers, said she hopes to hold the drive each year and that it could become statewide in two years.
AROUND THE STATE - By Matt McLarty, SDDP Legislative Director
Keep an eye out for the press conference Friday with the Democratic legislative leadership on their solution to Gov. Mike Rounds' budget dilemma. The governor is back to the drawing board to deliver a "do over" budget on Wednesday. I think the plan delivered by Sen. Scott Heidepriem and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff tomorrow morning and the next few days will be a lot more in touch with current problems and realistic resources.
In case you don't know, my job for the South Dakota Democratic Party is to work with Bernie, Scott and our Democratic Senators and House Members on strategy, public relations and issue development. Rick Hauffe, the SDDP Executive Director, also works on the Legislative session while Field Organizer Amanda Mattingly is assigned to working with local precinct, county and legislative district leaders to put our State Party into top shape for the 2010 election cycle. Our goals for 2010 are as big as our
opportunity to bring change to Pierre ... as long as we remain focused and committed to bringing change.
Our SDDP Chair Jack Billion is a former legislator who has developed a 35-District Strategy to winning back the State Legislature and electing a Democratic Governor for the first time since Dick Kneip and Harvey Wollman left office in 1978. To Jack and all of us on the SDDP staff, winning elections in 2010 goes beyond just winning. It's about solving longstanding problems that have remained virtually unchallenged since Pierre became the captive of one-party rule in 1979.
The Republican Party has had it their way with legislative majorities and GOP governors since 1979, and still the major problems remain unsolved for working families in all 66 counties of our state, our children's public education systems, health care reform, and the severe hardships and challenges on the reservations and for Native People.
It is time for a change in Pierre, and it all starts here at the State Capitol with the 2009 Legislature. One-party rule here in Pierre, with a do-over budget and a record of no significant economic growth in the last several years, has proved itself incompetent for South Dakota's future. As Democrats, we have a chance to prove to the people there is a better way.
As Jack Billion has said, there is no problem in South Dakota that can't be fixed with the restoration of a truly two-party government in Pierre. But first, we've got to fix the Democratic Party in our state. I hope you agree and will help us make a difference for our state's future by investing in our campaign for change. Thanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre.
Please help us today with your check to SDDP for $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford today. By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. To contribute, mail your check today to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101.
Your contribution is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes. Federal Election law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Your contribution will be used in connection with Federal elections and is subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT!
I'm passing this along...
!!!STATEHOUSE ALERT!!!STATEHOUSE ALERT!!!
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because it's time to bring change to Pierre.
Date: January 13, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORY
Higher taxes and fees and Rounds' "do-over" budget
The State of the State Address today found Gov. Mike Rounds announcing higher taxes and fees are coming along with a "do-over" budget which will delay progress in the 2009 Session of the S.D. Legislature until he unveils the revised budget Thursday, Jan. 22. Rounds said revenues are already slipping $5.1 million below projections, and that future projections show revenue receipts will continue declining, hence the need to go back and redraft a new budget.
The do-over derails the legislative process for a while. The Senate and House Appropriations Committee has little to work with while the budget is in limbo. Republicans in charge of Appropriations are warning non-profit advocates and program agencies to get their sales pitches tight and brief because the late budget is sure to produce a logjam in the 40-day session.
The budget is required by the state constitution to be delivered to the legislature in early December. Rounds did announce a budget in December, but only a month later he admitted he didn't realize revenue projections were running quite as low as they are. This caused one former Republican state senator to observe that Rounds' budget staff must only now realize the state is in the middle of a serious recession.
Rounds' current budget plan would force an increase in property taxes and would also increase taxes and fees to fatten up revenues, ideas which are very unpopular with the public and with legislators in both parties.
Observers say quick reaction from Democratic leaders Sen. Scott Heidepriem, D-Sioux Falls, and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff, D-Yankton, as well as Republican Senate Leader Dave Knudson helped to push Rounds closer to current economic realities. Heidepriem and Hunhoff said Democrats are developing their own ideas to prioritize available funds to meet critical needs and to grow the state's economy without shifting a greater burden on taxpayers. Knudson has been talking about cutting spending in general terms.
In December, Heidepriem and Hunhoff announced a plan to better prioritize state revenues and programs:
AROUND THE STATE
By Rick Hauffe, Executive Director, S.D. Democratic Party
There just has to be a better way to manage state government than the example of "crisis management" we are seeing today. The state constitution requires governors to produce a budget in December so that the legislature can act on it in January. Today, many legislators took office for their first term, and they are getting quite a shake down cruise because the administration in Pierre didn't seem to pay attention to the downward spiraling economy.
How could they miss it by this much that the Governor, now in his six year of office, has to scrap the budget he announced last month and hold up the legislature until Jan. 22? Saying "my bad" doesn't cut it.
The federal government began recognizing a significant recession was in play back in December 2007. Since then we've seen Wall Street wobble, crash, stumble and crash again. This economic disaster has ripped through the energy industry, the housing market, bottoming corn prices, the lending industry and up and down the Stock Market here and abroad. In December, how could they not see what can now see in January?
The image of state government in the Rounds administration has faired poorly in the last year. Today's first portion of the State of the State Address attempted to create the impression that Rounds' bureaucrats and political appointees now finally have a firm grasp on things. But a "do-over" budget in the midst of an economic crisis because they didn't see revenues dropping earlier just doesn't build reliability.
We, South Dakotans of both political parties, expect better than this from
our state's top elected leadership. Despite the second part of Rounds'
speech, which sought to distract attention from the first part with tributes
to war heroes and salutes to soldiers in the gallery and reminding us how
lucky we are to be in South Dakota, nothing was said which instilled
confidence that the administration in charge of fixing the problems is
really in touch with the realities of our present times.
Change is overdue in Pierre, and nothing demonstrated that more in recent
years than today's State of the State.
Your help is needed now to support our Legislative Project. The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre.
Change needs to come to Pierre. Your help will make sure we can make that happen. Without your help, and the help of your friends and neighbors who care about South Dakota's future, we might fall short of making the critical difference.
Please help us today with your check to SDDP for $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford today. By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota.
Change doesn't happen by itself. Make a big difference by sending your check today. Thank you so very much.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Mail your check today to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101. To contribute online, visit sddp.org
Your contribution is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes. Federal Election law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Your contribution will be used in connection with Federal elections and is subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
!!!STATEHOUSE ALERT!!!STATEHOUSE ALERT!!!
An e-newsletter of the South Dakota Democratic Party sent to you because it's time to bring change to Pierre.
Date: January 13, 2009
STATEHOUSE ALERT'S TOP NEWS STORY
Higher taxes and fees and Rounds' "do-over" budget
The State of the State Address today found Gov. Mike Rounds announcing higher taxes and fees are coming along with a "do-over" budget which will delay progress in the 2009 Session of the S.D. Legislature until he unveils the revised budget Thursday, Jan. 22. Rounds said revenues are already slipping $5.1 million below projections, and that future projections show revenue receipts will continue declining, hence the need to go back and redraft a new budget.
The do-over derails the legislative process for a while. The Senate and House Appropriations Committee has little to work with while the budget is in limbo. Republicans in charge of Appropriations are warning non-profit advocates and program agencies to get their sales pitches tight and brief because the late budget is sure to produce a logjam in the 40-day session.
The budget is required by the state constitution to be delivered to the legislature in early December. Rounds did announce a budget in December, but only a month later he admitted he didn't realize revenue projections were running quite as low as they are. This caused one former Republican state senator to observe that Rounds' budget staff must only now realize the state is in the middle of a serious recession.
Rounds' current budget plan would force an increase in property taxes and would also increase taxes and fees to fatten up revenues, ideas which are very unpopular with the public and with legislators in both parties.
Observers say quick reaction from Democratic leaders Sen. Scott Heidepriem, D-Sioux Falls, and Rep. Bernie Hunhoff, D-Yankton, as well as Republican Senate Leader Dave Knudson helped to push Rounds closer to current economic realities. Heidepriem and Hunhoff said Democrats are developing their own ideas to prioritize available funds to meet critical needs and to grow the state's economy without shifting a greater burden on taxpayers. Knudson has been talking about cutting spending in general terms.
In December, Heidepriem and Hunhoff announced a plan to better prioritize state revenues and programs:
- Enact a real freeze on state employee positions that requires any additions be matched by equal reductions elsewhere in government.
- Limit state spending to no more than 3 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
- Implement zero-based budgeting which allows the legislature to work with the executive branch to analyze and reduce state spending.
Outlaw "pay to play" policies which appear to reward cronies with no-bid contracts. - Take steps to put South Dakota communities into the best position to take advantage of President-elect Barack Obama's major jobs and economic recovery package to encourage wind-energy development and launch new community-based wind energy projects.
- Limit the growth of the highest paid state employee positions to make sure compensation is not excessive considering the current economic crisis.
AROUND THE STATE
By Rick Hauffe, Executive Director, S.D. Democratic Party
There just has to be a better way to manage state government than the example of "crisis management" we are seeing today. The state constitution requires governors to produce a budget in December so that the legislature can act on it in January. Today, many legislators took office for their first term, and they are getting quite a shake down cruise because the administration in Pierre didn't seem to pay attention to the downward spiraling economy.
How could they miss it by this much that the Governor, now in his six year of office, has to scrap the budget he announced last month and hold up the legislature until Jan. 22? Saying "my bad" doesn't cut it.
The federal government began recognizing a significant recession was in play back in December 2007. Since then we've seen Wall Street wobble, crash, stumble and crash again. This economic disaster has ripped through the energy industry, the housing market, bottoming corn prices, the lending industry and up and down the Stock Market here and abroad. In December, how could they not see what can now see in January?
The image of state government in the Rounds administration has faired poorly in the last year. Today's first portion of the State of the State Address attempted to create the impression that Rounds' bureaucrats and political appointees now finally have a firm grasp on things. But a "do-over" budget in the midst of an economic crisis because they didn't see revenues dropping earlier just doesn't build reliability.
We, South Dakotans of both political parties, expect better than this from
our state's top elected leadership. Despite the second part of Rounds'
speech, which sought to distract attention from the first part with tributes
to war heroes and salutes to soldiers in the gallery and reminding us how
lucky we are to be in South Dakota, nothing was said which instilled
confidence that the administration in charge of fixing the problems is
really in touch with the realities of our present times.
Change is overdue in Pierre, and nothing demonstrated that more in recent
years than today's State of the State.
Your help is needed now to support our Legislative Project. The South Dakota Democratic Party provides professional staff and some of the best consultant support to our Democratic legislators. This newsletter is being sent to you to keep you informed of key issues and major developments in Pierre.
Change needs to come to Pierre. Your help will make sure we can make that happen. Without your help, and the help of your friends and neighbors who care about South Dakota's future, we might fall short of making the critical difference.
Please help us today with your check to SDDP for $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford today. By making a difference for the Democratic Party, you will help us and our legislators make a difference for South Dakota.
Change doesn't happen by itself. Make a big difference by sending your check today. Thank you so very much.
Paid for by South Dakota Democratic Party, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101; Bill Nibbelink, Treasurer. Mail your check today to SDDP, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101. To contribute online, visit sddp.org
Your contribution is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal income tax purposes. Federal Election law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Your contribution will be used in connection with Federal elections and is subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Friday, January 09, 2009
[PenDems (130)] This month: Health Care Forum, Inaugural Ball, PenDem meeting!
Pendemorandum
Sat, Jan 10: Community Health Care Forum
1-4 pm, New Classroom Building – Didier Education Center
SDSMT - 501 East St. Joseph Street
At the request of HHS Secretary-Nominee Tom Daschle
small groups will develop recommendations around
five key areas of concern. All are welcome.
More information: http://tinyurl.com/hcforum
Tue, Jan 20: Inauguration Day!
West River Democrats will hold the
Black Hills Inaugural Obama Ball to...
- Celebrate the Inauguration of President Barack Obama,
44th President of the United States of America, and
- raise Funds for the South Dakota Young Democrats
Martin Mason Hotel & Ballroom, 33 Deadwood Street, Deadwood
Bus from Rapid City, RSVP by Jan 14
5:00-8:00 PM Hospitality Suites - Dinner in Deadwood
8:00 PM Inaugural Ball, $25 adv / $40 door
FOR DETAILS, SEE:
http://tinyurl.com/bhball - email: SDInaugural@gmail.com
Thu, Jan 22: PenDems meet
6 pm - 8 pm, AFL-CIO Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St
Meeting topic will be: Building in 2009!
http://tinyurl.com/labortemple
Ten a Month for 2010 continues!
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
Sat, Jan 10: Community Health Care Forum
1-4 pm, New Classroom Building – Didier Education Center
SDSMT - 501 East St. Joseph Street
At the request of HHS Secretary-Nominee Tom Daschle
small groups will develop recommendations around
five key areas of concern. All are welcome.
More information: http://tinyurl.com/hcforum
Tue, Jan 20: Inauguration Day!
West River Democrats will hold the
Black Hills Inaugural Obama Ball to...
- Celebrate the Inauguration of President Barack Obama,
44th President of the United States of America, and
- raise Funds for the South Dakota Young Democrats
Martin Mason Hotel & Ballroom, 33 Deadwood Street, Deadwood
Bus from Rapid City, RSVP by Jan 14
5:00-8:00 PM Hospitality Suites - Dinner in Deadwood
8:00 PM Inaugural Ball, $25 adv / $40 door
FOR DETAILS, SEE:
http://tinyurl.com/bhball - email: SDInaugural@gmail.com
Thu, Jan 22: PenDems meet
6 pm - 8 pm, AFL-CIO Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St
Meeting topic will be: Building in 2009!
http://tinyurl.com/labortemple
Ten a Month for 2010 continues!
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.
To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
Black Hills Inaugural Ball
TO ATTEND:
Send your checks to Lawrence County Democrats, PO Box 1386, Spearfish, SD 57783. Include your email address and I will confirm receipt. Or, contact any host/hostess, give her/him your check and they will confirm the reservation at the gmail address. If you have any questions please contact Jane Murphy (jcmurphy --at-- wildblue.net)
Bus from Rapid City: The bus will leave Rapid City at 6pm and will return at 11:30 pm (leaving Deadwood at 10:30). The bus will cost $11, for reservations, email SDInaugural@gmail.com before January 14.
Send your checks to Lawrence County Democrats, PO Box 1386, Spearfish, SD 57783. Include your email address and I will confirm receipt. Or, contact any host/hostess, give her/him your check and they will confirm the reservation at the gmail address. If you have any questions please contact Jane Murphy (jcmurphy --at-- wildblue.net)
Bus from Rapid City: The bus will leave Rapid City at 6pm and will return at 11:30 pm (leaving Deadwood at 10:30). The bus will cost $11, for reservations, email SDInaugural@gmail.com before January 14.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Health Care Forum at SDSMT Saturday
This just came across the wire:
Community Forum on Health Care
You are invited to join us in a community forum about the future of primary medical care in South Dakota
We will be responding to a request from Senator Tom Daschle, President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, for specific suggestions on health care reform
Sponsored by
The Black Hills Medical Society
and
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Saturday January 10, 2009
1:00 - 4:00 P.M.
New Classroom Building – Didier Education Center
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 East St. Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD
Discussion on Five Areas of Concern and a Search for Solutions
1. Access to Primary Care: How do we determine who pays, who plays, and who is left out?
2. Public Health: How do we include everyone into the primary care system and generate enough primary care providers?
3. Patient Responsibility: How do we encourage seat belts, bicycle helmets, healthy diets, and exercise, as well as adherence to prescribed medical regimes for patients of all ages? How do we address end of life issues?
4. Prevention: How do we ensure all Americans are not only properly immunized and have annual check-ups, but live and work in healthier schools, worksites, and communities?
5. Unfunded Mandates: How can the medical community comply with unfunded and underfunded mandates, including electronic record keeping?
Kevin Weiland, MD, president of the Black Hills Medical Society, will be the moderator.
The public is invited to participate.
Results of the discussion will be forwarded to president-elect Barack Obama and his nominee as secretary of the department of health and human services, former United States Senator Tom Daschle.
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