On Monday, we posted Noem Stoops To Conquer; Or, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."
One of the articles we digested was Stephen Groves and Thomas Beaumonti's analysis How Noem’s struggles at home may enhance White House chances for the Associated Press.
We're still burping.
Today, Tuesday, there's more victory for Noem news in our South Dakota news feed.
In the Argus Leader, Joe Sneve reports in Secretary of State, prosecutor field complaints about impeachment billboards:
From Pierre to Sioux Falls, state and county officials are fielding complaints about the legality of billboard advertisements targeting lawmakers and calling for the impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg.
The Secretary of State's Office as well as the Minnehaha County State's Attorney this week received formal complaints alleging that Dakota Institute for Legislative Solution violated campaign finance law when it began running attack ads accusing five state lawmakers of obstructing an ongoing impeachment investigation into the attorney general, who struck and killed a man with his vehicle in 2020.
"Whether this technically complies with the laws, it certainly violates the spirit of what South Dakotans wants in their officials and election, which is transparency and to know who’s funding these candidates or these statements," said Rep. Ryan Cwach, a Yankton Democrat who's serving on the House Select Committee on Investigation, of which four members are being targeted by Dakota Institute's billboard advertisements that have been running on rotation in Sioux Falls since Saturday.
Rep. Scott Odenbach, a Spearfish Republican who's sparred with Noem on various social issues in recent months but is not on the impeachment committee, has also been added to the list of lawmakers
Dakota Institute earlier this month announced its formation as a 501c4 nonprofit that aims to advance the agenda of Gov. Kristi Noem with a $2.3 million budget. It's not registered as a political action or campaign committee because it's not influencing the outcome of elections and has no official connection to the governor or any individual candidate or public official in South Dakota, according to its executive director, Rob Burgess.
Instead, the group considers itself a grassroots advocacy organization, and Monday filed as such when it reported the advertisements cost about $24,000, noted in what's called an independent communication expenditure report.
But even that distinction might not be enough for Dakota Institute to avoid legal scrutiny. That's because Cwach and other lawmakers, including House Speaker Spencer Gosch, say the ads violate South Dakota Codified Law 12-27-16.1, which mandates certain disclaimer language be placed in advertisements being paid for by an individual or entity that isn't a campaign, ballot or political action committee. . ..
Okay then. At Keloland, Jacob Newton reports in Lawmakers react to attacks by Noem aligned group:
Over the past few day, billboards in Sioux Falls have been displaying messages attacking state legislators, paid for by a Virginia based group called Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions. The group has a stated goal of supporting the agenda of Governor Kristi Noem.
These billboards are now part of an ongoing investigation according to the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s office.
The five legislators targeted are Reps Spencer Gosch (R-Glenham), Jamie Smith (D-Sioux Falls), Jon Hansen (R-Dell Rapids), Steven Haugaard (R-Sioux Falls) and Scott Odenbach (R-Spearfish).
Of the five, both Haugaard and Smith are challenging Noem in the 2022 gubernatorial election, and four (Gosch, Hansen, Haugaard and Smith) are on the House Select Committee on Investigation, who are charged with deciding whether to recommend the impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who struck and killed 55-year old Joe Boever with his car in September 2020. ...
Head over to Keloland to read their reactions.
But it's not just the billboards Noem and the Republican dominated South Dakota legislature are fighting about, SDPB's Lee Strubinger reports in Legislature wants eyes on incoming federal money:
In the next few years, the state will get billions of dollars in federal infrastructure money. Lawmakers want more oversight on how that money is spent.
Governor Kristi Noem is critical of the idea, saying it could create a full-time legislature.
The Infrastructure Investment Act will send nearly $3 billion to South Dakota over the next half decade. There are also grants for electric vehicle charging stations and climate change resilience projects.
And – the state is also still receiving federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act. A lot of it.
That presents a problem for some lawmakers.
“We don’t know what they’re for," said Republican Representative Chris Karr, from Sioux Falls. “So, how do we appropriate those dollars and that authority if we don’t know what they’re for?”
Karr is chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He said the legislature does not give blanket spending authority to the executive branch. Karr said the legislature controls the purse strings.
“We don’t know when these dollars will come in. We don’t know the guidance in which they can be used," Karr said. "The way we interpret the constitution is these dollars can be appropriated for a specific purpose.” . . .
Imbibe the rest at SDPB.
And her lawsuit against the National Park Service for fireworks at Mount Rushmore isn't getting love from the courts, KEVN's Jack Siebold reports in Noem’s Mount Rushmore fireworks plan fizzles:
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is not happy that the National Park Service tossed cold water on her plans for another fireworks display at Mount Rushmore.
The Park Service sent a letter to the state Department of Tourism, outlining why the 2022 Fourth of July display was denied. Cited were:
· Environmental concerns
· Threats of wildfires
· Objections from tribes
· Interference with normal memorial services
“Mount Rushmore is the best place in America to celebrate our nation’s birthday – I just wish President Biden could see that,” said Governor Kristi Noem in a release. “Last year, the President hypocritically held a fireworks celebration in Washington, D.C., while denying us our own event. This year, it looks like they are planning to do the same.”
Noem touted her leadership in bringing the fireworks display back to Mount Rushmore in 2020. When her 2021 plan was rejected by the Park Service she filed a lawsuit.
“Many of the reasons presented for their denial have been previously addressed, indicating that these reasons are not in good faith. We will move forward with our litigation and urge the court to help us come to a speedy resolution,” Noem said.
We agree with the court, which might help the wounded-wing whining Noem win a vice president berth in 2024.
But it's not all bad news for the governor. One speed bump: a state news press release, Gov. Noem Signs Public Safety Bills into Law.
Related posts:
- Noem Stoops To Conquer; Or, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."
- Pants on fire at CPAC: Governor Kristi Noem claims "We kept kids in the classroom"
- South Dakota ethics: Will lawmakers resolve Governor Noem's closed-door meeting with daughter violated public trust?
- SD Gov Noem blames Soros' money for pipeline protests; cuts tribes out of anti-protest bills talk
Photo: Governor Kristi Noem on a horse.
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