South Dakotans

1st Amendment Elections Secretary of State South Dakotans

Secretary of State Johnson in deep doo-doo

l3wis August 2, 2025 1Comments

Besides breaking state and federal laws, you have to question if she acted alone;

On July 31, The ACLU of South Dakota sent a letter (see attached) to the Secretary of State’s office demanding they remove publicly available copies of the statewide voter registration file that make it possible to identify which voters registered at public assistance offices while applying for assistance programs. On August 1, the Secretary of State’s office complied with our demands to remove the data pertaining to where a voter registered and notify all impacted voters by mail.

This was an egregious violation of voters’ privacy rights. These privacy rights are guaranteed under state and federal law, including the National Voter Registration Act (“NVRA”)

I don’t think it takes the average bear to figure out Johnson isn’t intelligent enough to have acted alone on this. She would have had to have the backing of the Attorney General. It will be interesting to see what heads will roll on this, besides Johnson. As for the act itself, whoever is guilty, not only is it a violation of state and federal law, it probably violates several ethics laws, but besides all that it, it is extremely despicable, but not surprising since our entire state government has been taken over by the Trump Administration who has a very racist agenda.

Immigration Larry Rhoden South Dakotans

Operation Prairie Racism

l3wis July 29, 2025 2Comments

Funny how Poop’s campaign logo looks a lot like the Governor’s logo.

President Obama with the help of Tom Homan deported 3.1 million immigrants. He didn’t put together spiffy logos, he didn’t call in the Marines, he picked up people, put them in front of a judge and then sent them off, this is how deportation is supposed to work. When we put our RACISM on display, it won’t end well. We can legally deport people, as demonstrated by Obama without all the goofy press conferences and made up BS about gangs and drugs. If you are here illegally, arrest them, and let them have their day in court. This doesn’t have to be a chaotic circus folks. As for Rhoden concocting this, no surprise, just another ignorant West River person who wears their racism on their sleeve.

Mike Huether South Dakotans

South Dakota Hall of Shame

l3wis April 30, 2025 5Comments

It’s been no secret that for years that the SD Hall of Fame DOES induct people that sacrifice themselves to make SD better. But then they play the ass kiss game. Almost 50% of inductees are there because they are wealthy and many of them ‘bought’ there way into the Hall of Shame. So this year, they inducted one of those folks, Mike Huether, but I have to shred his statement that is littered with lies and half truths;

“A visionary leader and dynamic changemaker, Mike Huether served two terms as mayor of Sioux Falls, transforming the city into a national model of growth and innovation.”

I guess when he talks about GROWTH he means our city debt.

“With a background in executive leadership at Premier Bankcard, where he helped build the 10th largest credit card company in the U.S., Mike brought a results-driven mindset to public service.”

He was the marketing VP, NOT a banker as he likes to tell people. He also spearheaded policies so bad that Congress had to create laws to stop FP from screwing clients on fees and interest. When this law passed, Mike was still working there, and Congress described their credit cards as predatory.

“Under his leadership, Sioux Falls launched transformative projects including the Denny Sanford Premier Center, Midco Aquatics Center and Levitt Shell, while preserving the city’s strong financial standing.”

Okay, had to get back off the floor after reading this sentence. A million dollar closed settlement, a failed contractor at the indoor pool, the Levitt was spearheaded by Tom Dempster, NOT Mike, he just signed the paperwork. Ironically I have NEVER seen him at a Levitt concert, but when you have FREE tickets to every concert at the Denty why hang with the peasants at Levitt? (Mike had a security badge to the backdoor of the Denty and would use it to attend concerts. The Denty turned the card off after Poops was sworn in.

“Beyond politics, Mike champions leadership and public service through the Mike Huether Public Service Academy at SDSU and the Huether Foundation, which supports causes across South Dakota. An author, TV host and lifelong volunteer, Mike continues to inspire others to lead boldly, serve passionately and leave every community better than they found it.”

An author and a TV host? Yeah, just like you are a banker. Hopefully a skid steer can clean up the stage after his acceptance speech. You know I was DJ once on a local FM/AM station. I just tell people I was a Radio Communications Executive.

I hope MMM runs for mayor again. This time I will make darn sure this guy doesn’t cross the finish line.

South Dakotans State Funding State Legislature

Legislative Update

l3wis February 28, 2025 0Comments

Advocates,

The legislature is almost over, but a lot is still unsettled. This is a 3-day weekend. Please write some probing questions for your crackerbarrels and hang around afterward to speak with them personally.

And please send emails and/or make calls. During the session, you can call messages to 605-773-3821(senators) and 605-773-3851(rep’s).

Committee members are listed at the bottom of this email.

— Medicaid, HJR5001 Medicaid on the Senate floor, Monday 2pm(1pm Mt). Oppose. Are they really willing to leave some SD’ans with no health coverage? Our lowest-income workers? Caretakers? People between jobs? Those whose health issues keep them from working? People with disabilities who are in the process of applying for disability?

— Childcare, HB1132 offers childcare workers assistance with paying for their own childcare. It could help address childcare worker shortage. in Senate Health & Human Services (maybe Tue) Support.

— Bathroom bill, HB1259 It would prohibit transgender people from using the communal facilities that match their gender identity, like restrooms and changing facilities, at South Dakota public schools. in Senate State Affairs, Monday 3pm(2pmMt). Oppose.

— SB172 rebuttable presumption of joint physical custody. It passed the Senate(22-13). Rather, we should stick with best interest of the child. in House Judiciary maybe Wednesday. Oppose.

— Guns on campus SB100, passed the senate. Next to House State Affairs (maybe Wednesday) Oppose.

— SB83, the penalty for ingestion. Rather than a felony, first offense would be misdemeanor with addiction treatment. 2nd offense: jail + treatment. 3rd offense: felony. It came out of committee without recommendation. Next on the House floor, maybe Tuesday. Support.

These are about our initiatives and referenda. OPPOSE them all. Could they please stop messing with our citizen rights to initiate measures for the ballot? These have passed their first house so they are awfully close to passing!

— HJR 5003 requires 60% for amendment to pass (takes away majority vote). in Senate State Affairs

— HB 1169 signatures from every district! in Senate State Affairs

— HJR 5006 requires a two-year gap before citizens can try again on a defeated ballot measure. in Senate State Affairs

— HB 1184(moves a deadline taking away 3 months of prime signature time). in Senate State Affairs

— SB 91 requires 14-pt font for petitions, in House State Affairs, Mon 7:45

— SB 92 subjects petition to prior review, in House State Affairs, Mon 7:45

These three are for Appropriations committee:

— Save Libraries!

— Save SDPB!

— TANF: The state’s poorest children need a payment increase. To meet their very basic needs, payments at a third of poverty level are not enough. These children have a TANF reserve fund legislators could use for an increase. It’s the children’s money.

Now here are the committee members:

Here are the committees mentioned above for contacts:

House State Affairs has these rep’s: Jessica.Bahmuller@sdlegislature.gov, Eric.Emery@sdlegislature.gov, Spencer.Gosch@sdlegislature.gov, Jon.Hansen@sdlegislature.gov, Erin.Healy@sdlegislature.gov, Les.Heinemann@sdlegislature.gov, Greg.Jamison@sdlegislature.gov, Karla.Lems@sdlegislature.gov, Scott.Odenbach@sdlegislature.gov, Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Reisch@sdlegislature.gov, Brandei.Schaefbauer@sdlegislature.gov, Bethany.Soye@sdlegislature.gov,

Senate State Affairs has these senators: Arch.Beal@sdlegislature.gov, Randy.Deibert@sdlegislature.gov, Kevin.Jensen@sdlegislature.gov, Chris.Karr@sdlegislature.gov, Liz.Larson@sdlegislature.gov, Jim.Mehlhaff@sdlegislature.gov, Carl.Perry@sdlegislature.gov, Sue.Peterson@sdlegislature.gov, Tom.Pischke@sdlegislature.gov,

Senate Health & Human Services has these senators: Sydney.Davis@sdlegislature.gov, Tamara.Grove,@sdlegislature.gov, Kevin.Jensen@sdlegislature.gov, Carl.Perry@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Reed@sdlegislature.gov, Jamie.Smith@sdlegislature.gov, Curt.Voight@sdlegislature.gov,

House Judiciary has these rep’s: Mary.Fitzgerald@sdlegislature.gov, John.Hughes@sdlegislature.gov, Jana.Hunt@sdlegislature.gov, David.Kull@sdlegislature.gov, Curt.Massie@sdlegislature.gov, Will.Mortenson@sdlegislature.gov, Peri.Pourier@sdlegislature.gov, Rebecca.Reimer@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Reisch@sdlegislature.gov, Matt.Roby@sdlegislature.gov, Bethany.Soye@sdlegislature.gov, Mike.Stevens@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Walburg@sdlegislature.gov,

Appropriations has these reps: Mike.Derby@sdlegislature.gov, Terri.Jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov, Chris.Kassin@sdlegislature.gov, Liz.May@sdlegislature.gov, Scott.Moore@sdlegislature.gov, Erik.Muckey@sdlegislature.gov, Al.Novstrup@sdlegislature.gov, John.Sjaarda@sdlegislature.gov, Jack.Kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov,

and these senators: John.Carley@sdlegislature.gov, RedDawn.Foster@sdlegislature.gov, Taffy.Howard@sdlegislature.gov, Mark.Lapka@sdlegislature.gov, Paul.Miskimins@sdlegislature.gov, Ernie Otten <Ernie.Otten@sdlegislature.gov>, Glen Vilhauer <Glen.Vilhauer@sdlegislature.gov>, Mykala.Voita@sdlegislature.gov, Larry Zikmund <Larry.Zikmund@sdlegislature.gov>,

Thanks for all your help. We sure don’t always win, but we need to be voices for what’s right and good.

The legislature will be over soon.

Thanks.

Bike Trail South Dakotans State Legislature

E-Bikes banned on the Mickelson Trail?

l3wis February 27, 2025 4Comments

So why the question mark? Because, the legislature really did not ban them because they don’t understand the technology. We will get to that shortly.

First off, I was planning a trip with four other E-bikers to the Mickelson in May. We were going to rent a monster VRBO, eat out and entertain ourselves, spend lots of tourist money and ride the trail. Trip cancelled. We instead are probably going to Duluth and ride the trails around Lake Superior while spending our tourist dollars in another state. It will be epic.

The AARP was against this because seniors are the biggest users of Class II E-bikes, tons of studies have shown this. It has also improved the health of many seniors.

This bill was written by a whack-a-doodle who is anti-green energy and of course anything electric, go figure.

The irony is that they will still allow 200 HP, LOUD, 40 MPH, GASOLINE powered snowmobiles. Hmm? The other irony is that electric powered snowmobiles and ATV’s are becoming extremely popular with hunters and naturalists because the animals are not alerted by the exhaust smell and noise. E-powered vehicles are virtually silent not interrupting the quaint sounds of nature.

But what puzzled me the most is the lack of knowledge the legislature has on micro-mobility (E-Bikes, etc.) This isn’t rocket science and you can literally watch a 10 minute YT video explaining the different technologies that change everyday. They are allowing Class I which is no different then Class II or III except for speed and a throttle. But the best part is they haven’t banned E-Bikes entirely, they actually opened the trail up for E-Motorcycles which can go anywhere between 40-80 MPH;

Electric bicycle defined–Classes.

For purposes of this chapter, the term, electric bicycle, means a bicycle or a tricycle that is equipped with a seat or saddle, with operable pedals for propulsion, and with an electric motor of seven hundred fifty watts or less.

An electric bicycle is a Class I electric bicycle if the motor provides assistance only when the person is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of twenty miles per hour is achieved.

An electric bicycle is a Class II electric bicycle if the motor is capable of propelling the bicycle without the person pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of twenty miles per hour is achieved.

An electric bicycle is a Class III electric bicycle if the motor provides assistance only when the person is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour is achieved.

In other words if your E-bike can achieve over 29 MPH it is considered an ‘out of class’ e-bike and is NOT defined in state law. Once again the dopes in Pierre passed a law that has zero teeth, but I won’t bother testing it, because I will be in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Secretary of State Johnson in deep doo-doo

Operation Prairie Racism

South Dakota Hall of Shame

Legislative Update

E-Bikes banned on the Mickelson Trail?

You Missed

UPDATE II: Sioux Falls City Councilor could be facing ethics violations after tonight’s vote on Tre Ministries project

UPDATE: City Council Agenda (Dec 2-3)

Seems we are a we bit behind on snow plowing

Libertyland TIF should go to a vote of the entire state!