Bluestem Prairie

South Dakota Searchlight: Noem pairs big cut with big spending in proposed budget plan

In Walz touts opportunities from massive $17.6B budget surplus, Steve Karnowsi and Trisha Ahmed report for the Associated Press that Minnesota's Governor plans to unveil his budget on January 24 for the two fiscal years starting July 1.  

We expect lots of performative squabbling in the North Star State over that.

Here in South Dakota, Governor Kristi Noem shared her budget on Tuesday. We're fond of elimination of grocery sales taxes and the free college tuition for National Guard soldiers though some of her fellow Republicans still aren't fond of the former.

From the South Dakota Searchlight:

Noem pairs big cut with big spending in budget plan
by MaKenzie Huber

Gov. Kristi Noem proposed South Dakota’s largest-ever state budget and biggest-ever tax cut Tuesday in her 2022 budget address, along with improved pay and benefits for state employees, money for new and improved prisons, free college tuition for National Guard soldiers, and numerous other proposals.

Noem said the tax cut – a proposed elimination of the state sales tax on groceries – and the increased spending are justified by a booming economy, large reserves, surging tax revenue and millions in available one-time funds.

“The people of South Dakota deserve safe planning that protects them from future tax increases or drastic cuts to state services,” Noem said in the address, delivered to legislators in the Capitol’s House chamber.

Noem’s proposed fiscal year 2024 budget would be the largest in South Dakota history, at over $7.2 billion. Compared to the adopted 2023 budget, that would be a 25% increase. Lawmakers will consider Noem’s proposals when they convene next month for the annual legislative session in Pierre.

Noem boasted that the state has $423 million in reserves, ending last year with a record-breaking budget surplus of $115.5 million. 

This year, the state is on track to beat revenue projections again by $58.8 million, setting the state up with a $135.3 million surplus so far this fiscal year. Sales tax alone is running $81.8 million ahead of the estimate the Legislature adopted, Noem added.

Noem’s office expects $310 million in new ongoing revenue available for fiscal year 2024 with $216 million in one-time revenue as well.

Tony Venhuizen, an incoming Republican state representative from Sioux Falls who will be vice chair of House Appropriations, said the revenue growth is “practically unprecedented.” 

“That’s an opportunity but also a challenge,” Venhuizen said. “It’s going to be difficult to judge how long that will continue.”

Eliminating state sales tax on groceries

That revenue growth gives South Dakota the opportunity to cut taxes, Noem said. Eliminating the sales tax on groceries would cut about $100 million in revenue, dropping the anticipated new ongoing revenue from $310 million to $208 million. Noem has called the proposal the biggest tax cut in state history.

“The people of South Dakota overwhelmingly want this tax cut, and they know we can afford it,” Noem said. “… My team and I are fully confident that this is the right tax cut at the right time. Let’s get it done.”

However, some legislators are skeptical that the tax cut is fiscally responsible. Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown, said the tax cut is “obviously problematic.”

The state received unprecedented levels of federal funding from pandemic stimulus programs in recent years. To cut the sales tax when such federal spending isn’t continuous, Schoenbeck said, would affect the state’s stability and budget going forward.

“You can’t do that unless you think the feds are going to keep spending millions of dollars in our state,” Schoenbeck said. “The extreme increase is caused by federal spending in our state. Fiscal conservatives are saying that we’re not going to go down a path that’ll set us up for an income tax.”

Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls and minority leader, applauded Noem’s proposed tax cut, saying Tuesday that Democrats have been working to eliminate the food sales tax for years.

While Nesiba hopes to see legislators eliminate the grocery tax completely, he said he would support a compromise of 2 percentage points cut from the state sales tax on groceries, eliminating about $50 million in revenue by dropping the tax from 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent on groceries. 

House Republicans have yet to identify their priorities for the session, Venhuizen said.

“It’s too early to say we’ll support one plan or the other,” Venhuizen said, “but we certainly see the merit in what the governor is proposing and we’ll keep talking.”

risons, National Guard tuition & more

Nesiba also said he is supportive of Noem’s recommended 100% tuition coverage for National Guard soldiers at state universities and technical colleges (an increase from the current 50% at state universities and 80% at technical colleges), and her plan for a 5% pay increase for state employees. 

However, the pay raise for state employees doesn’t keep pace with the nation’s current 8% inflation, leaving workers with a wage cut, Nesiba added. Failing to keep pace with inflation puts the state at a disadvantage when competing for workers in a tight labor market.

“It didn’t go nearly far enough,” Nesiba said. “Our revenues are robust enough and there is enough in reserves where we can simultaneously cut taxes, increase spending and balance the budget. The big debate will be how much to cut taxes and increase spending to balance the budget.”

Noem said her budget does include $11 million for targeted pay increases for state workers and another $11 million in added benefits. In addition to the 5 percent pay increase for state workers, Noem is also proposing a 5 percent increase in state aid to public schools.

In the realm of public safety, Noem proposed spending about $400 million to renovate and construct new prisons.

$60 million of that money is intended for a proposed 300-bed women’s minimum-security prison in Rapid City. Another $341.6 million would go toward purchasing land, conducting engineering and design, and eventually building a replacement for the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

Noem said she wants to use excess reserve funds to help pay for the prison projects.

Schoenbeck said he supports addressing the prison needs.

“Those are unattractive things to deal with and are extremely expensive,” Schoenbeck said. “It takes some gravitas to do that. I’m told that’ll be $800 million by the time we’re done with those two prisons.”

Other spending Noem proposed to the Legislature includes:

• $22 million in targeted increased reimbursement rates for care facilities across the state, including a 21% increase in funding for nursing homes, 17% increase to community support providers for South Dakotans with developmental disabilities, and a 26% increase for psychiatric residential treatment facilities.
• $25.6 million in one-time funding to finish projects in progress, including the State Public Health Lab, Board of Regents projects and the Dakota Events CompleX at the State Fair.
• Covering 100% of state employees’ pay while on family leave, which is currently paid at 60%.

The next step for legislators is to meet beginning in January and discuss each of the topics covered in Noem’s address and how best to move forward.

“We don’t want to be in a position where we find ourselves in a hole in a couple of years,” Venhuizen said. “In the meantime, we have a lot of opportunities.”

Here's South Dakota Public Broadcasting's YouTube channel video of the budget address:

This article is republished online under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 

Related posts

• Kristi Noem’s TikTok ban kills tourism account, leaves other state entities mulling options
• SD Searchlight news brief: Leadership teams lean moderate in South Dakota House, Senate
• The mahogany table of destiny; or, Noem in Florida, closer to Lewandowski than Trump
• SD Searchlight: Noem’s sales-tax promise shows panic during a campaign that should be easy
• South Dakota Standard on Noem's economy 

Photo: Gov. Kristi Noem presents her fiscal year 2024 budget proposal to legislators on Dec. 6, 2022, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Rep. Hansen goes to Washington; attends White House convening with state legislative leaders

In the Outdoor Section of the Star Tribune,Tony Kennedy recently called South St. Paul DFLer Rick Hansen, chair of the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, "the dean of outdoors legislation at the Capitol."

Hansen has been awarded the Pollinator Hero Award, and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) awarded him the Leon G. Billings Environmental Achievement Award in 2020.

Now, he's at the White House.

Wednesday morning, Hansen tweeted an article by Associated Press reporter Colleen Long, along with a note about the section in which he attended:

White House invites in state lawmakers before 2023 sessions | AP News. ✅An honor to be a part of this : 🇺🇸Building a Cleaner, More Sustainable America: Climate, Infrastructure, Environmental Justice #mnleg #climate https://t.co/fhZzSPAfyo

— Rep. Rick Hansen (@reprickhansen) December 7, 2022

Bluestem recommends reading the entire article. Here's a taste:

The White House is playing host to roughly 50 Democratic state lawmakers from 31 states this week as legislatures prepare for their upcoming sessions, aiming to talk over strategy on top issues like climate change, gun violence, abortion rights and voting rights. . . .

The legislators will meet with Biden administration policy experts on drug control, veterans affairs, environmental quality, criminal justice, violence prevention and climate change.

In Legislative Update 12/7 - Visit to D.C., Hansen told his constituents about the focus for his visit:

Meeting at the White House

This week I traveled to Washington D.C along with legislators from 32 other states to discuss our state priorities for the 2023 session. My visit focused on climate and environmental issues including building a cleaner more sustainable country, climate infrastructure and environmental justice.

I was given the opportunity to highlight some of the work we will focus on this year to ensure Minnesota is a climate leader. Along with our strong state budget, the Inflation Reduction Act will provide over $2.6 billion for infrastructure and climate projects. This is the exact type of coordination between state and federal policy makers we need if we are to tackle the climate crisis. I’m excited to carry this momentum into the 2023 session to make this a banner year for climate action.

If you would like to learn more about how the inflation reduction act will benefit our efforts, here is a fact sheet as it relates to environmental justice, and one as it relates to climate change.

UPDATE 12/7/2022 --4:15 p.m.

The Minnesota House of Representatives just sent out this statement by Hansen:

Rep. Hansen Visits White House to Discuss Climate Action for the 2023 Session

St. Paul, MN - This week, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South Saint Paul), the incoming chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee, attended a meeting of state legislators at the White House to discuss climate policy for the 2023 session. Overall, the event had legislators from 32 states and covered several issue areas, with Rep. Hansen’s time focusing on climate, infrastructure, and environmental justice.

“I would like to thank the White House for hosting this important event so we can work across the nation to ensure we are doing what we need to do to fight climate change. This is the exact type of coordination between state and federal policy makers that we need if we are to tackle the climate crisis. We were able to discuss what Minnesota plans to pursue this year and pick up ideas from other state leaders. I’m excited to carry this momentum into the 2023 session to make this a banner year for climate action.”

During an opportunity to present what he would like to pursue, Rep. Hansen discussed legacy contaminants and the importance of addressing chemical, physical, and biological pollution (such as CWD and invasive species) when pursuing sustainable climate infrastructure and environmental justice. Rep. Hansen also discussed the opportunity to match federal dollars to clean up past problems while preparing for the future. [end update]

A note on "Environmental Justice"

Now, judging from the ignorance--feigned or otherwise-- about the meaning of "environmental justice" from some Republican state representative I heard earlier this year in Chair Hansen's House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and the House ag committee, Bluestem wonders whether there will be catcalls on social media about the definition of this phrase.

I recommend reading the 2020  House Select Committee on Racial Justice: Report to the Legislature, which provides this definition on page 10:

Environmental Justice

“The principle of environmental justice asserts that no people, based on their race or economic status, should be forced to bear a disproportionate burden of environmental risks.^”13

“Environmental justice deals explicitly with the distribution of environmental benefits and the burdens people experience, at home, at work, or where they learn, play, worship and spend leisure time.”¹⁴ In short, environmental justice is an important part of the struggle to improve and maintain a clean and healthful environment, especially for those who have traditionally lived, worked, and played closest to the sources of pollution.

The sources for the quotations, by superscript:

¹³ “What Is Environmental Justice and Why Should We Care?” Sustainability Office, Colgate University, April
23, 2014.
¹⁴ Social and environmental justice, Forest Research, https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-andresources/urban-regeneration-and-greenspace-partnership/greenspace-in-practice/practical-considerations-andchallenges-to-greenspace/social-and-environmental-justice

The sources in these documents date back to 2000, so it's not concept cooked up last month. Now, we're not sure if that concept is exactly the same definition that the White House gathering is using, though Bluestem suspects that Hansen will use his habitual methodical care to share and explain.

Should any Republican state representatives have questions about "environmental justice," Bluestem recommends that they touch base with House Select Committee on Racial Justice Vice Chair Representative Lisa Demuth (page 4), the ranking Republican on the select committee.

Session Daily reported on November 11 that Demuth is to lead House Republicans in 2023-24 biennium, so perhaps the House Minority Leader can help them out before anyone gets too confused.

Update: Senator-elect Erin Maye Quade at White House

MPR's Brian Bakst tweeted that

From #mnleg: Sen.-elect @ErinMayeQuade is presenting on abortion/reproductive rights.

"It's really important that state legislators are meeting together and able to share ideas, share strategies and build power together."

Also: State @reprickhansen on environmental issues. https://t.co/rPvqpv4mGK

— Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) December 7, 2022

In the same thread, Bakst tweets Emma Greenman and Leigh Finke were also at the White House:

Rep. @emmagreenman and Rep.-elect @leighfinke also were at White House sessions this week. https://t.co/dJNG9gqiIl

— Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) December 7, 2022

[end update]

Photo: Hansen and other state legislators from across the country at the White House. From Legislative Update 12/7 - Visit to D.C.

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Session Daily: Projected $17.6 billion budget surplus presents ‘golden opportunities’

I had errands to run with my romantic partner, whose vehicle is in the shop. Bluestem will post this non-partisan reporting from Session Daily, while searching for poor country blogger nuances.

The HPIS staff reports in Projected $17.6 billion budget surplus presents ‘golden opportunities’:

The state's financial situation continues to get better.

Minnesota Management and Budget officials released the November 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast Tuesday, saying the state's projected budget surplus is now a record $17.6 billion.

The forecast provides the most recent snapshot of the state's financial health. Lawmakers will use it to begin looking at budgeting and policy decisions to be made during the 2023 legislative session, which is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 and must end by May 22.

"Strong collections and lower-than-projected spending add to the FY22-23 surplus. Economic headwinds lower expected growth but large leftover surplus and healthy net revenues in FY24-25 create estimated $17.6B available for budget,” according to a statement.

[MORE: View the budget presentation slides]

The sizable number presents “golden opportunities” to do things in many different areas, said Gov. Tim Walz.

Walz plans to release his budget proposal Jan. 24. Increased education funding and child care expansion assistance are all but certain. Local government aid is also among the possibilities.

He plans to again propose rebate checks, an idea that failed to get legislative approval earlier this year; he’s open to tweaking the state tax on Social Security; but the governor won’t be offering a tax cut for wealthy Minnesotans. Incoming House Majority Leader Jamie Long (DFL-Mpls) and incoming Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Mpls) were noncommittal on rebate checks or social security tax changes. Each said they need to let members of their caucuses weigh in.

Here's Walz's media appearance on the House Information Services' YouTube Channel:

[MORE: Current operating budget for 2022-23 biennium]

A forecast expected to be released in late February will provide more updated numbers to help legislators and the governor finalize their plans for spending in the 2024-25 biennium that begins July 1, 2023.

After failing to agree on many spending differences during the 2022 session, the Legislature left an estimated $7 billion on the books. Since then, monthly state revenue estimates have continued to better expectations, and are now predicted to be $3.5 billion higher during the current biennium than was estimated in February.

At the same time, spending is expected to be about $1.5 billion lower due mainly to a $280 million decrease in E-12 education spending caused by lower pupil counts and a $1.1 billion drop in health and human services spending. Extensions of public health emergency funding from the federal government meant the state spent less than was expected.

The $5 billion increase combined with the $7 billion that was left unspent means the state is now expected to carryforward $12 billion into the next biennium.

Inflation missing, economic outlook

The overall total could be a bit misleading, especially if a recession were to occur. A 2002 law repealed the inclusion of inflation when projecting expenses.

Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL-Duluth) told a House committee in February she believes Minnesota is the only state to account for inflation in projected revenue, but not expenses.

Officials said the forecast does include a mild U.S. recession in 2023 and slower economic growth through 2027. They predict a “three-quarter recession” with a recovery expected to begin the third quarter of 2023.

Inflation continues to be a concern and is now expected to be 8.1% this year, 3.6% higher than was forecast in February. This latest forecast predicts the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates through next spring but could then reverse course and begin lowering them in spring of 2024.

MMB also said that while Minnesota’s labor market remains one of the country’s strongest, employment growth is expected to slow from 3.1% in 2022 to 0.3% in 2023, then remain flat in 2024.

The forecast did include several risk factors that could change the outlook, including uncertainties about inflation, monetary policy, a slow growing economy that is “vulnerable to shocks” and volatility in corporate profits and capital gains.

Here's the response to the November 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast by Senate Majority Leader-elect Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Mpls), House Majority Leader-elect Jamie Long (DFL-Mpls) and Representative Athena Hollins (DFL-Saint Paul) on the House Information Service's YouTube channel (click on the arrow and the video will play, as much as this appears to a blank slate):

House leaders react

“Great news,” is how House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) termed the projected surplus.

“Our state is in a strong position to take decisive action to solve big challenges,” she said in a statement. “A workforce shortage is constraining our economic growth, making it even more important that we focus on things that help Minnesotans enter and stay in the workforce — like job training, education, child care assistance, paid family leave, and more. It is also a time to roll out the welcome mat for people who choose to move to Minnesota and expand our workforce.”

In a statement, House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) said the figure should keep any tax hikes off the table.

“Minnesotans are being massively overtaxed, and we should spend most of the next session working to give as much of it back to Minnesotans as possible. Tax hikes of any kind should be a complete non-starter. Families deserve their money back as they continue to deal with the high cost of groceries, home heating bills, and other everyday necessities." 

Here's the response to the November 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast by House Minority Leader-elect Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) via the House Information Services' YouTube channel: 

Looks like a lot of negotiation and such will be happening.

Senate Media Services published this story, State Budget Surplus Grows, Lawmakers Respond:

Minnesota's projected budget surplus grew to $17.6 billion since lawmakers adjourned the 2022 legislative session, and state revenues are expected to exceed state spending through Fiscal Year 2027. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter presented the upbeat budget news at a media event Tuesday, January 6. He expressed caution; however, stating that "economic headwinds are coming our way." He further explained that the forecast does not calculate the impact of inflation on state spending.

Referencing the latest news, Governor Tim Walz said, "While it's a positive budget report today, it doesn't tell the whole story." He said it fails to tell the story of a parent struggling to find child care or families struggling with high gas and food prices. It also fails to tell the story of the need to provide resources to schools in support of struggling students. "The macro picture is solid. The golden opportunity that we have to make Minnesota an even better and fairer and more inclusive and more prosperous state is there."

Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic said, "We will use this tremendous opportunity to help Minnesotans afford their lives." She said legislators will pass "a bold, balanced budget that will keep our economy strong, help families and workers, and keep Minnesota as a national leader in so many areas."

In a released statement, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said, "This surplus continues to show that the government is doing well - we have another hefty surplus and a brimming budget reserve. This is the moment policymakers must step up to put the needs of Minnesotans first. We are being battered with high property taxes, rapid inflation, rising energy costs, and a looming recession. We need real relief that all Minnesotans can count on for years to come.”

Meanwhile here in South Dakota, a different story broke about state finances.

Here's what Gov. Kristi Noem is proposing in her proposed $7.2 billion budget, Annie Todd reports at the Sioux Falls Leader. And there's Want to read Gov. Kristi Noem's budget address verbatim? We have it for you.

Photo: The Quadriga, on the dome of the Minnesota State Capitol. All that glitters isn't gold.

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SD Searchlight: Senator Rounds, Thune criticize Trump’s call for ‘termination’ of the Constitution

Like many Americans, I've been concerned about former President Donald Trump's call for the "termination" of the United States Constitution. Having spent nearly five years working in The Library Company of Philadelphia--used by the framers of the document-- the Constitution holds a spot in my heart.

Here in South Dakota, both US senators have spoken against Trump's declaration.

Seth Tupper reports in the South Dakota Searchlight article, Rounds criticizes Trump’s call for ‘termination’ of the Constitution:

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, is criticizing former president Donald Trump for proposing the “termination” of the U.S. Constitution.

Rounds issued a written statement by email Monday afternoon.

“Americans have a deep appreciation for the Constitution and our Founding Fathers who risked their lives to establish it,” Rounds’ statement said, in part. “As elected officials, we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. We should never dishonor that oath. No one is above the Constitution.”

Rounds was reacting to Trump’s Saturday post on Trump’s own social media platform, Truth Social. In that post, Trump reiterated his claims of fraud in the 2020 election: “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”

After widespread condemnation from Democrats and some Republicans, Trump went on Truth Social again Monday and wrote, “The Fake News is actually trying to convince the American People that I said I wanted to ‘terminate’ the Constitution. This is simply more DISINFORMATION & LIES, just like RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, and all of their other HOAXES & SCAMS.”

Rounds has consistently said there was no evidence of fraud in 2020 that was widespread enough to alter the results of the election, which Trump lost to President Joe Biden. Rounds reiterated that stance in his Monday statement and included some language about the next presidential election in 2024, which already includes Trump as a declared candidate on the Republican side.

“Anyone who desires to lead our country must commit to protecting the Constitution. They should not threaten to terminate it,” Rounds said. “I believe Americans want leaders, like those on Mount Rushmore, who will defend the Constitution and unite us in our belief that America is truly a shining city upon a hill.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, said Thune fielded impromptu questions Monday afternoon from reporters in a Washington, D.C., hallway about Trump’s call for “termination” of the Constitution.

“Of course I disagree with that,” Thune said of Trump’s comments. “I swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and it is a bedrock principle — it is the principle, the bedrock of our country. So I couldn’t disagree more.”

Spokespeople for U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, and Republican Gov. Kristi Noem did not immediately respond to Searchlight questions about Trump’s comments.

Here's hoping South Dakotans hear from Johnson and Noem about Trump's position soon.

This article is republished online under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Help South Dakota Searchlight with a donation here.

Photo:  U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, speaks during a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing on Jan. 27, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Photo Sarah Silbiger-Pool/Getty Images/ via South Dakota Searchlight).

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Star Tribune editorial board praises Prinsburg for rejecting Miller's post-legislative career builder

Perhaps Bluestem is overly optimistic to fancy that retiring Minnesota state representative Tim Miller has met his Waterloo with the rejection of his anti-reproductive freedom ordinance by his hometown's city council.

We mostly recently posted about this in Prinsburg rejects PLAM ordinance update: tasty tidbits from the latest Star Tribune coverage  and West Central Tribune: City Council in Prinsburg, MN rejects proposed abortion ordinance.

But at least he's getting the attention he deserves from the editorial board at the Star Tribune.

Some of the wisdom in A failed try to stoke abortion controversy:

. . . unlike Texas, Prinsburg is in a state where no less an authority than the Minnesota Supreme Court has held, in the 1995 case Doe v. Gomez, that the state Constitution includes the right to terminate a pregnancy.

That did not dissuade Miller, who told a Star Tribune reporter, "This is what God is calling me to do." He had arranged for the deep pockets of the Thomas More Society, a nonprofit law firm specializing in culture-war issues that does not publicly disclose its funding sources, to defend Prinsburg if it had faced court challenges.

Before the Prinsburg City Council decision, Miller said he planned to spread this campaign to deprive women of their constitutional right to other rural communities. The intention, he told the Star Tribune, is not to penalize the woman who has an abortion but to stop "the animals who tell her that's OK and profit from it."

This, of course, presumes that women are easily led astray and couldn't possibly have determined the risks for themselves and come to their own conclusion that the time is not right for them to undertake childbearing. It is an insulting premise, and most Minnesotans have made clear they reject such thinking.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told an editorial writer last week that the Prinsburg city attorney had contacted his office, "and we have every reason to believe the city attorney will review carefully and follow the laws of the state of Minnesota."

Writing to Prinsburg Mayor Roger Ahrenholz, who has already expressed support for Miller's proposal, Ellison advised that "Any municipal ordinance which limits the fundamental rights of pregnant Minnesotans to receive an abortion is unconstitutional" and that the state has extensive laws regulating the practices of medicine, nursing and pharmacology. "No city in Minnesota has the power to restrict the right to abortion or enact conflicting regulations on health care providers," Ellison wrote.

In a statement posted to the city's website on Friday, city leaders said, "In reaching its decision, the council took into account the position of the Minnesota Attorney General and its City Attorney stating that provisions described in the ordinance are unconstitutional and not within the legal authority of the city to enact. The council plans no further discussion or comment regarding the proposed ordinance."

Ellison said such efforts, even if they are essentially publicity stunts, prove that abortion continues to be an issue deserving of complete legal protection. Reproductive rights, he said, "must be fully defended, because there are clearly activists here who are going to advance their cause any way they can."

One of the best ways to defend those specific rights would be to enshrine them in statute.

The state Legislature now has a reproductive-rights majority. It should use that majority to provide statutory protection under Minnesota law without delay. 

Read the entire editorial at the Star Tribune (we have a subscription).

Bluestem will keep an eye out for Mr. Miller's future publicity stunts. Material like this is why we subscribe to so many newspapers across the state--and check in on rural radio networks' webpages. Willmar Radio first reported about Miller's ordinance.

Related posts

• Prinsburg rejects PLAM ordinance update: tasty tidbits from the latest Star Tribune coverage
• West Central Tribune: City Council in Prinsburg, MN rejects proposed abortion ordinance
• Forum News Service: Prinsburg's Texas pro-life hold 'em ordinance gets more ink
• StribGuy: Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight 'cause of Tim Miller
• MN News Network: Prinsburg in west-central MN is “launch site” for new anti-abortion strategy
• Tuesday, Prinsburg City Council heard Tim Miller propose PLAM Action anti-abortion ordinance
• Retiring state rep Miller to push unconstitutional local ordinances for new PLAM Action job.
• Tall grass prairie? State representative Tim Miller goes to Moorhead for grassroots organizing
• Retiring Rep. Tim Miller will work for Brian Gibson at Pro-Life Action Ministries sister group
• We won't have Tim Miller to kick around anymore--at least as a MN House member
• New House Republican Tim Miller shares unique understanding of gas tax in legislative update
• State rep Tim Miller: MN state public officials beholden to radical anti-livestock enviro groups 

Image: The town sign for Prinsburg. Via Alchetron entry for Prinsburg.

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MN BAH: No additional CWD detected in remaining depopulated deer on Winona Co farm

Earlier this year, Bluestem had posted about Chronic Wasting Disease found on Todd Miller's long quaranteed farm in Winona County in MN Board of Animal Health: CWD confirmed in quarantined Winona County captive deer herd and Todd Miller's deer farm was depopulated Tuesday among other posts.

On Monday, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health updated the news on the deer farm in a press release, No additional Chronic Wasting Disease detected in remaining depopulated deer on Winona County farm:

A Winona County deer farm went through a mandatory herd depopulation in October, and no Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was detected in any of the 120 white-tailed deer tested. The Winona County farm had been quarantined since October 2020 because of its connection to other Minnesota CWD positive farms. In August 2022, CWD was confirmed in a 4-year-old doe in the herd (https://www.bah.state.mn.us/news_release/cwd-confirmed-in-quarantined-winona-county-deer-herd/). A total of three CWD positive deer have been confirmed on this farm when two deer harvested after the August detection also tested positive for CWD.

“Unfortunately, we rarely find a definitive answer to how CWD was introduced into a herd. We will continue to work with farmers and state and federal partners to better understand how these animals were infected,” said Senior Veterinarian Dr. Courtney Wheeler. “We’re fortunate this producer is interested in solving this puzzle and is working with us, the USDA and the University of Minnesota on further research. Tissues from the depopulated deer will be submitted for a federally funded genomic testing project to understand if some deer are more susceptible to CWD than others.”

The Winona County herd actively participated in the national CWD Herd Certification Program since 2012 and tested more than 100 deer for CWD before the disease was detected in August 2022. The herd was in a CWD endemic area of Minnesota where there is a high prevalence of CWD in the wild deer population. The farm and deer enclosures had been double fenced since 2015.

As part of an agreement with state and federal animal health officials, the herd owner is required to clean and disinfect all enclosures and must maintain fencing on the property for five years from the date of the last detection. The farm is not allowed to have any deer or elk for five years, and the property owner must maintain fencing to prevent wild deer from accessing empty pens. Biohazard signs will be posted on the fencing and must be maintained for the entire five-year fallow period.

Update: While wording of the Board of Animal Health press release implies that the agreement is a negotiated settlement, these conditions are in fact law. See 35.155 FARMED CERVIDAE Subd. 11, d:

(d) The owner of a premises where chronic wasting disease is detected must:

(1) depopulate the premises of Cervidae after the federal indemnification process has been completed or, if an indemnification application is not submitted, within a reasonable time determined by the board in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources;

(2) maintain the fencing required under subdivision 4 on the premises for five years after the date of detection; and

(3) post the fencing on the premises with biohazard signs as directed by the board. [end update]

The December 5 press release continues:

CWD is a disease of the deer and elk family caused by prions, which can damage brain and nerve tissue. The disease is most likely transmitted when infected deer and elk shed prions in saliva, feces, urine, and other fluids or tissues. CWD is not known to naturally occur in other animals. The disease is fatal in deer and elk, and there are no known treatments or vaccines. According to the CDC, consuming meat from a CWD positive animal is not advised.

The press release mentions '"Tissues from the depopulated deer will be submitted for a federally funded genomic testing project to understand if some deer are more susceptible to CWD than others.”

Board of Animal Health's November 2022 "Animal Bites" noted:

Determining Genomically Estimated Breeding Value to identify animals least susceptible to CWD

The Board of Animal Health is utilizing USDA CWD Cooperative Agreement Funding to determine the Genomically Estimated Breeding Value (GEBV) in more than 3,000 Minnesota farmed white-tailed deer. The GEBV looks at genetic markers to reduce the animals' susceptibility to CWD. To determine the susceptibility of an individual animal, more than 100,000 regions of the white-tailed deer genome are analyzed using computer modeling and machine learning to identify regions unique to animals known to be CWD positive. All genetic information for animals with a GEBV calculated are saved in the North American Deer Registry database and used for comparison. A computer scans this genomic data and provides a score related to the degree in which it is similar to CWD-positive animals. This allows geneticists to classify animals into three categories: highly susceptible, moderately susceptible, and minimally susceptible. Farmers can use those ratings to make breeding or culling decisions on their farm.

We're not sure if that's the program mentioned in the latest press release, but it sounds pretty close.

Miller is the brother of Minnesota state senator Jeremy Miller, whose service as Majority Leader was brought to a close with the DFL gaining the majority in the upper chamber.

The legislature may move on CWD policy with both chambers under DFL control. Last week in the Outdoors section of the Star Tribune, Tony Kennedy reported in Majority shift in Minn. Senate leads way for new fish and game leader:

. . . [Sen. Foung Hawj (pronounced HER)], who lives near the south end of Lake Phalen and owns 30 acres of recreational land in Kanabec County, said he shares several legislative goals with his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Rick Hansen, D-South St. Paul. . . .

Hawj and Hansen said they'll also look to reform laws pertaining to the oversight of deer farms in Minnesota. State wildlife biologists have told lawmakers that deer farms have contributed to the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild deer. One proposal still considered viable by Hansen is to place a moratorium on the establishment of any new deer farms in the state.

"Because of CWD, we need to re-evaluate how to make deer farming safer,'' Hawj said.

Both committee chairs hunt whitetails in Minnesota. Hawj, who is self-deprecating about his bow-hunting and fishing expertise, said he's harvested only a handful of deer in 20 years. "I'm not that skilled, but it allows me to be out there in nature, meditating,'' he said. . . .

We'll be watching to see how much sway the new BAH talking point about the Genomically Estimated Breeding Value (GEBV) and breeding CWD resistant deer has in policy discussions in Hawj and Hansen's committees, as well as the legislature's ag committees.

Related posts

• MN Chronic Wasting Disease dilemma: should new deer farms be blocked? The old bought out?
• Todd Miller's deer farm was depopulated Tuesday 
• Chronic Wasting Disease: St. Louis County permanently bans new or expanded cervid farms 
• On Facebook, operator of CWD doomed Winona County deer farm wears Miller Scrap hat 
• MN Board of Animal Health: CWD confirmed in quarantined Winona County captive deer herd
• Update: More on Miller family deer farm interests
• Senate DFL Leader Franzen raises conflict-of-interest concerns in Republican leader's role overturning bipartisan vote to protect wild deer

Screengrab: The OAH's flow chart of CWD spread to MN deer farms.

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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Prinsburg rejects PLAM ordinance update: tasty tidbits from the latest Star Tribune coverage

Bluestem first posted about an unconstitutional municipal ordinance pushed by retiring state representative Tim Miller in our November 16 post, Tuesday, Prinsburg City Council heard Tim Miller propose PLAM Action anti-abortion ordinance.

We left off with Friday's West Central Tribune: City Council in Prinsburg, MN rejects proposed abortion ordinance.

Following in the footsteps of John Reinen's StribGuy: Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight 'cause of Tim Miller, the Star Tribune picks up Prinsburg's rejection in Eder Campuzano's Minnesota town backs down from abortion ordinance. 

Some tidbits from Campuzano's reporting:

The city council in the small western Minnesota town of Prinsburg has unanimously shelved a proposed ordinance that would have allowed its residents to sue abortion providers, passing on the chance to inject itself into the national legal skirmish over abortion.

It's been less than three weeks since the small town south of Willmar drew outsized attention over the proposed ordinance. But on Friday, the council opted not to go forward with the measure sought by a local Republican legislator that echoed legislation in Republican-led states that have been restricting abortion access in the months since the U.S. Supreme overturned Roe vs. Wade.

"In reaching its decision, the council took into account the position of the Minnesota Attorney General and its City Attorney stating that provisions described in the ordinance are unconstitutional and not within the legal authority of the city to enact," city leaders said in a statement posted to the city website. "The council plans no further discussion or comment regarding the proposed ordinance." . . .

Outgoing State Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, was pushing for the measure. In an interview Saturday, he contended that it's constitutional despite the city's position and assertions from the state attorney general's office to the contrary.

In a statement, Attorney General Keith Ellison praised the Prinsburg council's vote, saying its members "unanimously recognized the proposed ordinance was both unconstitutional and preempted by state law."

"I thank them for upholding their oaths of office by taking those concerns seriously, and I hope other communities take notice," Ellison said. "It's my job to protect the constitutional rights of Minnesotans in every community to access safe, legal abortion, and I will continue to do it." . . . .

But the money quote goes to Miller himself:

Miller remains undaunted. "I will pit the creator of the universe against Attorney General Ellison and we will win every single time. I am fully confident in that," he said.

Bluestem had no idea the Minnesota Constitution, which Attorney General Ellison works to uphold, was in such mortal combat with the Creator.

Related posts

• West Central Tribune: City Council in Prinsburg, MN rejects proposed abortion ordinance
• Forum News Service: Prinsburg's Texas pro-life hold 'em ordinance gets more ink
• StribGuy: Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight 'cause of Tim Miller
• MN News Network: Prinsburg in west-central MN is “launch site” for new anti-abortion strategy
• Tuesday, Prinsburg City Council heard Tim Miller propose PLAM Action anti-abortion ordinance
• Retiring state rep Miller to push unconstitutional local ordinances for new PLAM Action job.
• Tall grass prairie? State representative Tim Miller goes to Moorhead for grassroots organizing
• Retiring Rep. Tim Miller will work for Brian Gibson at Pro-Life Action Ministries sister group
• We won't have Tim Miller to kick around anymore--at least as a MN House member
• New House Republican Tim Miller shares unique understanding of gas tax in legislative update
• State rep Tim Miller: MN state public officials beholden to radical anti-livestock enviro groups 

Screengrab: A Tim Miller Facebook post in 2014. Perhaps those lawn ornament voters are what Stop the Steal folks mean when they talk about fraud in elections.

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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West Central Tribune: City Council in Prinsburg, MN rejects proposed abortion ordinance

Bluestem's been posting about retiring state representative Tim Miller's new job-and it looks like he's suffered something of a setback in his hometown of Prinsburg, known as Minnesota's most conservative city.

Tom Cherveny reports for the West Central Tribune in City Council in Prinsburg, Minnesota, rejects proposed abortion ordinance:

City Council members in Prinsburg made it clear Friday they are not willing to subject the small community to the legal and other challenges that might arise from adopting an ordinance to allow residents to bring civil lawsuits against abortion providers.

On a unanimous vote, council members voted to deny an ordinance proposed by State Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, to allow civil action against abortion providers. Council members Mitch Swart and Greg Bonnema offered the motion at a special meeting convened Friday afternoon.

The vote came with no discussion or comments, but before the council heard the motion to deny the ordinance, Mayor Roger Ahrenholz outlined the challenges the city would likely face were it enacted.

The mayor said the city had received a letter from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison advising the proposed ordinance was unconstitutional in Minnesota. . . . 

Miller, a Prinsburg resident, had brought the proposed ordinance to the Prinsburg City Council on Nov. 15. The mayor said council members tabled discussion with intentions to consider it at a special meeting.

He said council members and citizens in the community were subsequently surprised to find themselves “thrust into the spotlight” due to media coverage of the proposal.

Miller watched the council vote on Friday afternoon, and afterward said that he was disappointed. He said he will continue to work with other communities in the state interested in a similar ordinance.

It was originally adopted by communities in Texas. The ordinance is not in apparent conflict with Texas law, however, as that state has effectively banned abortion with narrow exception.

Miller is working with Pro-Life Ministries of St. Paul in a position he accepted shortly before announcing this year that he was not seeking re-election to the Minnesota Legislature. . . .

Read the entire article at the West Central Tribune.

I'm pleased the small town used common sense and conservative budget wisdom on this one.

Related posts

• Forum News Service: Prinsburg's Texas pro-life hold 'em ordinance gets more ink
• StribGuy: Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight 'cause of Tim Miller
• MN News Network: Prinsburg in west-central MN is “launch site” for new anti-abortion strategy
• Tuesday, Prinsburg City Council heard Tim Miller propose PLAM Action anti-abortion ordinance
• Retiring state rep Miller to push unconstitutional local ordinances for new PLAM Action job.
• Tall grass prairie? State representative Tim Miller goes to Moorhead for grassroots organizing
• Retiring Rep. Tim Miller will work for Brian Gibson at Pro-Life Action Ministries sister group
• We won't have Tim Miller to kick around anymore--at least as a MN House member
• New House Republican Tim Miller shares unique understanding of gas tax in legislative update
• State rep Tim Miller: MN state public officials beholden to radical anti-livestock enviro groups 

Image: The town sign for Prinsburg. Via Alchetron entry for Prinsburg.

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen@gmail.com as recipient.

I'm on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6

Public not sold on Navigator pipeline despite attempts to build landowner trust

Earlier this week, Bluestem posted MNHouse Majority Leader Long, committee chairs Frentz, Stephenson got late, large contributions from ethanol pipeline execs.

Those ethanol executives are connected with the proposed carbon sequestration pipeline by Navigator CO2, 

What's the issue with the pipeline? (The campaign contributions by out-of-state business executives evoke other questions about buying access to legislators).

At the Mitchell Republic, Jason Harward reports in Public not sold on Navigator pipeline despite attempts to build landowner trust:

At each of a trio of public input meetings last week regarding the proposed carbon sequestration pipeline by Navigator CO2, one attendee asked the crowd to raise their hand if they were in favor of moving ahead with the project.

And, between the three meetings held in Canton, Flandreau and Sioux Falls on Nov. 21 and 22, only a handful were in favor out of the more than 400 total attendees.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, the vice president of government and public affairs with Navigator CO2, who led presentations and answered questions at all three meetings, said it was an important part of building a partnership with the owners of land in the proposed pipeline route.

“There is a lot of value in the big informational meetings that we did with the PUC,” Burns-Thompson said. “I think the greatest value comes in being able to sit down one on one with landowners and have them see that we are there to listen.”

Filing paperwork with the Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 27, Navigator is the second player in what could become a gold rush for sequestering excess carbon from ethanol plants around the Midwest in exchange for billions in federal tax credits.

Unlike the proposal by Summit Carbon Solutions, which goes through a large swath of eastern South Dakota and deposits carbon in North Dakota, the Navigator pipeline’s footprint in South Dakota currently encompasses just over 100 miles through five counties in the southeast portion of the state. Burns-Thompson said the project is planning to expand to other POET locations in Mitchell, Groton and Big Stone City.

The majority of the 1,300 miles of proposed pipeline travels through Iowa and will deposit carbon in Illinois. . . .

. . .

But the main thrust of opposition relates to safety. Donald Johnson, the fire chief in Valley Springs, said at the Sioux Falls meeting that the largely volunteer emergency services in rural areas of the pipeline route do not have the gear to effectively respond to a potential carbon leak, which could cause asphyxiation.

Burns-Thompson emphasized to Forum News Service that the Navigator pipeline would put safety first, adding that pipelines are the “safest means” of transporting liquified carbon.

The opposition points to an incident in Mississippi in 2020 in which a carbon pipeline leaked and put dozens of people in the hospital. The federal body in charge of these pipelines is still in a rulemaking process regarding how to make them safer.

Johnson warned that the colorless, odorless carbon gas could travel to population centers even if the leak occurs in a rural area.

“If this thing leaks, carbon is heavier than air, so it's going to stay on the ground,” Johnson said at the Nov. 22 meeting in Sioux Falls. “And it's called Valley Springs for a reason. There's a valley. That gas is going to lay in the valley and float down to Brandon and Sioux Falls.” ...

Read the rest at the Mitchell Republic.

Related posts

Related posts

• In Iowa, ethanol carbon pipeline opponents want pause until new safety regulations are ready
•  Summit Carbon Solutions files permit for risky CO2 pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties 
•  Will ethanol carbon capture pipelines fracture brittle unity of South Dakota Republicans? 
• South Dakotans & others get fantods over Summit Carbon Solutions' sketchy 10% owner
• Matt Birk loves the ethanol carbon dioxide pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions
• Ethanol carbon pipeline news digest: from the Guardian to the Aberdeen American News 
• Navigator CO2, POET sign letter of intent for carbon capture, utilization, and storage service
• Carbon capture pipeline blues: SD landowners call for dismissal of pipeline permit application 
• Iowa Capital Dispatch: Group seeks end of ethanol carbon pipeline ‘harassment’
• Ethanol carbon capture pipeline digest: farmers, students, greenwashing, safety, law enforcement
• Storm Lake Time Pilot's Art Cullen: Ripping up CRP is a terrible signal for the planet
• Minnesota Public Utility Commission claims regulatory authority for carbon pipelines
• CO2 pipelines could affect the land, lives and livelihoods of South Dakota property owners
• SD News Watch: Proposed CO2 pipelines thrust SD into billion-dollar climate change debate
• About that permanent carbon storage by the Summit ethanol pipeline & Project Tundra
• Ethanol carbon capture pipeline news digest: political power and big money edition
• Ethanol carbon pipeline digest: trust & protest
• South Dakotans, Iowans don't hug CO2 pipeline
• Keloland: mostly negative public comments to SD Public Utilities Commission on CO2 pipeline
• Strib: Ethanol's per-gallon carbon output shrinks, but greenhouse gas from plants remains high
• We agree: It's time to move on from ethanol
• Another IA newspaper editorial board questions ethanol industry, carbon capture pipelines
• Ethanol CCS pipeline update: Reuters & Agweek
• Not a lot of easements for Midwest carbon pipeline, but plenty of political connections
• 2 ethanol CO2 headlines that make us go hmmm
• CO2 pipelines: who wins & who loses?
• Coming soon from a cornfield near you: mammoth carbon capture pipeline system
• Mother Jones: USDA Secretary Vilsack’s son works for a controversial ethanol pipeline project
• Iowa county boards scorn construction of CO2 pipelines, use of eminent domain to build them
• Digest of news about carbon dioxide pipeline

Photo: A POET ethanol plant. From the  locations page on the firm's website,

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. 

Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen@gmail.com as recipient.

I'm on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6

Related posts

• In Iowa, ethanol carbon pipeline opponents want pause until new safety regulations are ready
•  Summit Carbon Solutions files permit for risky CO2 pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties 
•  Will ethanol carbon capture pipelines fracture brittle unity of South Dakota Republicans? 
• South Dakotans & others get fantods over Summit Carbon Solutions' sketchy 10% owner
• Matt Birk loves the ethanol carbon dioxide pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions
• Ethanol carbon pipeline news digest: from the Guardian to the Aberdeen American News 
• Navigator CO2, POET sign letter of intent for carbon capture, utilization, and storage service
• Carbon capture pipeline blues: SD landowners call for dismissal of pipeline permit application 
• Iowa Capital Dispatch: Group seeks end of ethanol carbon pipeline ‘harassment’
• Ethanol carbon capture pipeline digest: farmers, students, greenwashing, safety, law enforcement
• Storm Lake Time Pilot's Art Cullen: Ripping up CRP is a terrible signal for the planet
• Minnesota Public Utility Commission claims regulatory authority for carbon pipelines
• CO2 pipelines could affect the land, lives and livelihoods of South Dakota property owners
• SD News Watch: Proposed CO2 pipelines thrust SD into billion-dollar climate change debate
• About that permanent carbon storage by the Summit ethanol pipeline & Project Tundra
• Ethanol carbon capture pipeline news digest: political power and big money edition
• Ethanol carbon pipeline digest: trust & protest
• South Dakotans, Iowans don't hug CO2 pipeline
• Keloland: mostly negative public comments to SD Public Utilities Commission on CO2 pipeline
• Strib: Ethanol's per-gallon carbon output shrinks, but greenhouse gas from plants remains high
• We agree: It's time to move on from ethanol
• Another IA newspaper editorial board questions ethanol industry, carbon capture pipelines
• Ethanol CCS pipeline update: Reuters & Agweek
• Not a lot of easements for Midwest carbon pipeline, but plenty of political connections
• 2 ethanol CO2 headlines that make us go hmmm
• CO2 pipelines: who wins & who loses?
• Coming soon from a cornfield near you: mammoth carbon capture pipeline system
• Mother Jones: USDA Secretary Vilsack’s son works for a controversial ethanol pipeline project
• Iowa county boards scorn construction of CO2 pipelines, use of eminent domain to build them
• Digest of news about carbon dioxide pipeline

Photo: A POET ethanol plant. From the  locations page on the firm's website,

If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. 

Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen@gmail.com as recipient.

I'm on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6

South Dakota Attorney general makes new hires to address human trafficking and MMIP

Bluestem's been posting about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Woman + Relatives for many years. It's good to see action on this tragic issue.

South Dakota Searchlight's staff has published some good news:

Attorney general makes new hires to address human trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons

Attorney General Mark Vargo announced two new hires Wednesday to address human trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

Allison Morrisette is the state’s inaugural Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons coordinator. Morrisette is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe who last served as adult diversion coordinator for the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, which Vargo headed before becoming attorney general.

“I am excited to begin this work,” Morrisette said in a news release. “A lot of my relatives feel they are overlooked. My job with the Attorney General’s Office is to ensure that is not true. In my culture we live by the words ‘Mitakuye Oyasin,’ which means ‘all my relations’ or ‘we are all related.’ I carry that belief with me into this new role.”

The state’s new human trafficking coordinator is Mary Beth Holzwarth. For the past 13 years, she has served as the CEO of Endeavor 52, a grassroots organization dedicated to child sexual assault prevention.

“Joining the Attorney General’s Office in this new role gives me the opportunity to carry on my work combatting childhood sexual abuse and widen my focus to address other manifestations of exploitation, including sexual and labor trafficking,” Holzwarth said.

Vargo said he looks forward to the positive impact these two coordinators can make for South Dakota.

“I am thrilled to welcome the breadth and depth of expertise Allison and Mary Beth bring to the Attorney General’s Office and am confident they will help the office live up to its motto of ‘Equal Justice Under the Law,’” Vargo said.

The Legislature approved the creation of the coordinator positions in 2021, but then-Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg did not fill the positions prior to his impeachment and removal from office this year. Vargo began seeking to fill the positions after Gov. Kristi Noem appointed him as attorney general in June. Vargo did not run for election to the job and will yield it in January to Marty Jackley, who ran uncontested in November. Vargo will return to his prior job as state’s attorney in Pennington County.

This article is republished online under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

 

Related posts

• After 28-year public safety career, Lower Sioux member Juliet Rudie will lead [Minnesota's] MMIR Office
•  Private grant from Native Hope will fund SD Attorney General's MMIW/MMIP coordinator 
• South Dakota AG Ravnsborg unable to fund office for missing Indigenous persons
• Native News Online: State rep Heather Keeler aims to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day
• Not just a "bargaining chip" for Paul Gazelka, MMIR office finds place in public safety deal 
• House Judiciary Finance & Civil Law Committee sends bill for MMIR office to Public Safety
•  [VIDEO] Shakopee Town Hall discussion about state rep. Keeler's effort to establish MMIR office
• National MMIW+R awareness day: scenes from Sisseton, South Dakota; St. Paul, Minnesota

Photo: Allison Morrisette, left, the state’s new Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons coordinator, and Mary Beth Holzwarth, right, the state’s new human trafficking coordinator. (Courtesy of Attorney General’s Office)