If you're a leading South Dakota Republican, integrity is irrelevant

From the RCJ today:

When Gosch filed his nominating petitions last January, an elections official in the secretary of state's office questioned Gosch's use of his own notary. Gosch said the official didn't suggest the petitions were invalid but questioned whether he had notarized his own signature."They did not seek to reject my petitions," Gosch said.

Of course they didn't. Brian Gosch is in line to be Speaker of the SD House. You simply don't cross these guys. However, if you're a Dem, carefully follow a confusing law to the letter and if they can find a reason to disqualify you, you're likely to be off the ballot even before the Madville Times can report it.

This is what happens when one party is in control for more than thirty years. No accountability for those in the leadership. Elected officials are seen displaying disregard for their duties to the citizens of South Dakota, because their real agenda is personal and political, not public service (cf. Sec of State "you can always go to court" Gant).


Back closer to home, I'm still floored that the Republicans of District 32 are such party-line voters that they continue to return these two Party tools to "represent" them. Reps. Gosch and Conzet (and Rep. Lust in 34) are political insiders from East River that are by and for the entrenched Pierre Political Class, and of course, Gosch and Conzet are active members of the corporate-funded right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  You'd think it would be great to have all this leadership from out here, but we sure haven't seen policies out of Pierre to help struggling West RIver schools and businesses.There's a reason. They dance with those that brung 'em (as Molly Ivins [bless her soul] would say).

Gosch and Conzet were both appointed by Governor Rounds, and have had no serious primary challengers -- apparently District 32 Republicans haven't gotten mad enough to vote Democratic. (As if Dems are in danger of gaining majority power in Pierre, and doing something blazingly radical, like OMG making taxation more fair or decently funding our K-12 education.)

Their seats are so safe, they rarely even make a "show" effort to talk to their constituents outside of Republican Party events and the obligatory, extremely softball cracker-barrel theater. Rep. Conzet has refused to meet with constituents during the session so she can spend that time with her family. She directs constituents that if they want to meet with her, you need to drive to Pierre. (Unless you're a large multinational corporation, and then she'll take a week and come to your ALEC conference and help you write legislation that's bad for South Dakota.) When she is in town, she seems more interested in cooking wild boar (?) than the needs of her district.


This whole thing is just another sign that integrity and competence have very little to do with our West River electoral process. It's about party, it's about money, and it's about connections.

Are you annoyed? There's is something you can do:

Vote only for Jackie Swanson.

Vote only once.

Integrity matters.

Blue Awesome

Finally the Legislature seems to behind something that is arguably not stupid. South Dakota's flag is, well, a bit 19th century, artistically uninspiring, and does not represent our natural and First Nations heritage at all. How excellent it is that one of South Dakota's finest artists came up with a concept that meets the need.
You can read more about this design at the RCJ in an excellent article by David Montgomery (OK, let's just say it, I'm a fan.)

Termes said he tried to blend together two different motifs: the sunburst from the traditional state flag and a medicine wheel to represent Native American heritage.

The bill wouldn't abolish the old flag. All official flags made before July 1 would remain official even after the new design went into effect. The law would also authorize displaying the state seal - currently at the center of the flag - as a flag or banner.

If you are as thrilled about this flag as I am -- please contact your state legislators. Although apparently there isn't a lot of opposition right now, when it comes down to it, the loudest voices seem to speak against changes, even (maybe especially) small ones.

The 1 percent control SD's legislators

It turns out both of my Pierre-appointed legislators, Kristen Conzet and Brian Gosch (and most others from the area) are players for the "American Legislative Research Council" known to many of us simply as ALEC.

ALEC is an organization funded by large corporations (including the now famous Koch brothers) to write legislation for the states to serve their interests. Not South Dakota interests even -- the interests of their corporate funders. It's that simple.

ALEC provides give state legislators free travel, room and board to gather in swank accommodations while they develop legislation that is designed to keep Republicans in power and serve the needs of those who pay the bills. ALEC makes it very easy for citizen legislators like ours roll out template legislation carefully crafted by experts to control the debate, and efficiently ram through legislation that has nothing to do with local interests and everything to do with a national right-wing agenda.

Maybe we should ask some questions about ALEC at an upcoming cracker barrel?

The list of South Dakota ALEC "participants" is posted here.

It includes:

House of Representatives

* Rep. Valentine Rausch (R-4),[19] ALEC State Chairman[137] and International Relations Task Force member[27]
* Rep. Justin Davis (R-23), guest at December 2010 meeting of the ALEC International Relations Task Foce meeting[27]
* Rep. Lora Hubbel (R-11), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate
* Rep. Betty Olson (R-28B)[16], ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate
* Rep. Charles Hoffman (R-23), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate
* Rep. Val B. Rausch (R-4), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate
* Rep. Mark K. Willadsen (R-11), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate
* Rep. Charles M. Turbiville (R-31), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member
* Rep. Kristin A. Conzet (R-32), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member
* Rep. Jacqueline Sly (R-33), ALEC Education Task Force Member
* Rep. Tad Perry (R-24), ALEC Education Task Force Member
* Rep. Kim Vanneman (R-26B) , ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member
* Former Rep. Kristi Noem (R-6; elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2010), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member
* Rep. Jamie Boomgarden (R-17), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
* Rep. Manny Steele (R-12), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
* Rep. Phil Jensen (R-33)[16], ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
* Rep. Fred W. Romkema (R-31), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member
* Rep. Bob Deelstra (R-9), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member
* Rep. David Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member
* Rep. Hal Wick, (R-12) ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member
* Rep. Justin Cronin (R-23), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member
* Rep. Roger D. Solum (R-5), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member
* Rep. Brian Gosch (R-32), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
* Rep. Jon Hansen (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
* Rep. Roger W. Hunt (R-10), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
* Rep. Stacey V. Nelson (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member

Senate

* Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), ALEC State Chairman[183] and International Relations Task Force member[27]
* Sen. Corey Brown (R-23), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate
* Sen. Jeffrey K. Haverly (R-35), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate[27]
* Sen. Al R. Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate
* Sen. Todd J. Schlekeway (R-11), ALEC Education Task Force Member
* Sen. Elizabeth Kraus (R-33), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
* Sen. Tim Rave (R-25), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
* Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member
* Sen. Tom Hansen (R-22), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member

Abuse of power by Pierre's republican leadership?

Some Republicans that decided not to follow the party line have discovered that the Pierre leadership may have (gasp) interfered with the excellent South Dakota Legislative Research Council (LRC).

We're shocked, shocked, I say!

David Montgomery of the Rapid City Journal reports:

Lawmakers call for subpoenas in intra-party feud

A dispute among South Dakota's Republican legislators continues to heat up, with dissident lawmakers calling to subpoena witnesses for a Tuesday hearing.

Rep. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton, alleges that Republican leaders have spied on and obstructed research into bills by himself and other lawmakers. He also says he was kicked off a committee as punishment for raising reasonable environmental concerns a ruckus over a proposed dairy.

... Nelson and others say that committee isn't doing a full investigation and that its chair, Sen. Joni Cutler, R-Sioux Falls, has made public comments showing bias in the matter.

...In the forwarded emails, Rep. Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood and the chairman of the Executive Board, replied that he will "refer to my lawyer."...

Cutler, Russell and House Majority Leader David Lust, R-Rapid City, did not answer their cell or home phones could not be reached for comment Friday night.

I became aware last year of what a hard road our excellent Legislative Research Council has to walk when they may report information our one-party State machine does not want to hear.

You may recall LRC was blamed by Rep Don Kopp (as part of his quick back-pedal operation) for accidentally inserting the word "astrological" into the ridiculous climate change denial bill (a piece of political crap legislation if we've ever seen one -- the likes of Jackie Sly (House, R-34) -- a retired educator who should know better -- actually voted for this red meat [tripe?] to the ignorant Republican base). LRC had to lay low and refused to defend their reputation to avoid being attacked by the likes of Don Kopp as part of the "Al Gore climate conspiracy."

So glad someone finally noticed. The LRC is a real gem in our state government and should be defended.

Happy New Year to all!!!

Solutions for "bizarre" district lines in Rapid City

Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you, Donna!!

(Emphasis below mine.)

Find solutions for ‘bizarre’ district lines

Guess what? Proposed new legislative districts look like the old ones, including my District 33. One legislator even described its horseshoe shape as “bizarre.”

District 33 cannot be “walked” by campaigning candidates or “driven” efficiently like a truly rural area. The value of face-to-face meeting and knowing one’s legislator is lost.

Several existing districts are demographically muddled. Native and working-class neighborhoods are split among several districts in Rapid City. Whether intentional or not, the effect is to dilute power and disenfranchise whole groups, including rural residents.

I want to shout “Gerrymandering (making districts for the advantage of one party) — just like Texas!” I can find no other explanation for crazy boundaries.

It’s 2011 and time for change!

Reps. Lust, Gosch, Juhnke and Kirkeby, Sens. Rhoden and Bradford, please consider the following solutions for “bizarre” District 33:

1) Group subdivisions like Black Hawk, Piedmont, Red Rocks, etc., with urban areas, leaving more rural residents to outlying districts (29, 30 and 31);

2) Put all of North Rapid City into one district;

3) Add Box Elder and the north Valley to District 35.

Redistricting should create fair turf and reasonable geography so that legislators may do the work of the people.

Donna Fisher

Rapid City

Read more: rapidcityjournal.com

South Dakota needs more small government conservatives

Yes, you read that here.

A West River State Representative disagreed with me on HB 1217, which not only will require a 72-hour waiting period, but insults women by requiring them to visit a pregnancy "help center" for "consultation" because no woman could be smart enough to make her own (constitutionally protected) health care decisions. Both the RCJ and Argus Leader have come out strongly against this bill.

I urge you to contact your State Senators to discourage them from passing this bill, which is against the will of the people of South Dakota -- and most likely unconstitutional as well.

South Dakota Healthy Families has the lowdown:

Under the bill, all women seeking an abortion would have to attend a “counseling” session at a biased Crisis Pregnancy Center alone, with no support from loved ones, and face a volunteer whose goal is not the patient’s personal health or well-being, but instead to talk her out of an abortion regardless of her health needs. HB1217 would also allow anti-choice activists to view private medical records. These ideologues have a well-documented history of lies and are not bound by the same confidentiality as your doctor or any other true healthcare provider.

Here was the argument from said Legislator:

Curtis, I don't think it is unreasonable to ask a woman to have a reflective period before terminating the life of her unborn child. As Rep. Verchio stated on the floor of the House, he visited his personal physician about a vasectomy...the doc said to bring his wife back with him for another visit, a week later. At that time, they discussed the issue at length, and set up an appointment a couple of weeks later. The point being, he had an ongoing relationship with his doc.......it wasn't a slam, bam, thank you mamn. Simply a 5 min. visit with a strange doc does not a relationship make. This is life and death for their unborn baby. Let's let them take a little more time, and gather a little more info. in making such a life altering decision.

My response:

Rep. Verchio's story is apples and ... automobiles. There is no comparison, and frankly I'm offended by Rep Verchio's saying so.

Doctors who perform vasectomies are not under threat of death and their clinics are not targeted for bombing. This situation where women are only able to obtain these services from an out of state doctor they do not know was created by anti-choice terrorism.

Abortions are legal. Roe is the law of the land.

Bills like this do nothing but cast our State in a bad light, and do harm to women who need access to comprehensive health care and their families.

If we have to be the 6th most conservative state, why can't we have conservatives with a small c-- like the wonderful ones in Wyoming -- that, uh, believe in small government:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

My note to state reps

(To Rep. Brian Gosch, Rep Kristen Conzet, Rep. Phil Jensen, Rep. Donald Kopp, Rep. Jackie Sly, Rep. David Lust -- who ALL co-sponsored or voted for this bill, which attempts yet another runaround of the wishes of the people of South Dakota who want this nonsense in Pierre to stop. They should be ashamed -- both the RC Journal and both the Sioux Falls Argus Leader agree with me.)

I understand HB1217 is coming up for consideration tomorrow morning in the Senate HHS committee, and certainly could pass, sending it to the full Senate and approval.

I write to voice extreme disappointment in your support of this bill in committee and on the floor, which allows the Government to interfere in private medical decisions between a doctor and patient. South Dakotans have voted twice and both times resoundingly sent a message that the government has no business in personal health care decisions.

Curtis Price
Rapid City

If you can, please contact the members of the Senate HHS committee TONIGHT and urge them to stop this legislation in committee tomorrow.

An email to Rep Jensen about HB 1171

Phil,

Please drop this bill. I realize you are passionate about this issue, but the side-effects of this bill are just too problematic.

Three that come to my mind:

1. It sends a dangerous message to the Scott Roeders of the world that taking matters into their own hands may be justified. Enough doctors (and patients) have been murdered already by crazy people caught up in the anti-abortion rhetoric.

2. This concept of vigilante justice is un-American. In fact, it echoes concepts in ancient Hebraic and Sharia law ("eye for an eye") that our Founders (many from their Christian faith) found abhorrent. We should all be presumed innocent until proven guilty. 1171 threatens that strong tradition.

3. This bill has made national news in a very negative way, undoing our efforts to encourage people to visit or move their businesses here to South Dakota. Dropping the bill soon will minimize the damage done.

Again, although I do not agree, I do respect your passionate views about the abortion issue but I hope you see fit to drop this bill as soon as you can.

Thank you

Curtis Price
Rapid City

Rep Hunhoff sets the record straight

Don't miss Rep. Bernie Hunhoff's clear defense of the Democrat's fair, tough, and above all, honest fiscal proposals for South Dakota in today's Mitchell Republic. (Opinion: Recent 'Other view' editorial was misrepresentation, Feb 5)

(Unless of course, you believe our all-Republican, all-the-time team in Pierre is just doing a bang-up job in Pierre.)

As they say on Weekend Update: "Really?"




Hunhoff wrote this piece in response to a misleading criticism in a republished Watertown Opinion editorial last week, Hunhoff penned this editorial published in the Mitchell Republic that sets the record straight.

This editorial charged, among other things, that:

When asked about their plan to take money from the state's cash-flow fund, which essentially is the state's checking account, Democrats didn't know any details

Clearly, they simply made this up. They certainly didn't ask any Democrats.

Rep. Bernie Hunhoff responded with, well, the TRUTH:

The Public Opinion writer said “Democrats, when asked (about the state’s $1 billion cash flow account), didn’t know any details.” That’s absurd. Nobody asked. Every Democratic legislator has a list of the 262 accounts in the Cash Flow Account. Every one knows that many of those funds are off-limits and obligated, and they also know that many others belong to the citizens of South Dakota and have been used routinely as reserve funds.

We have a complete printout for any journalist or citizen who wants it. Call me at 773-3846 for your copy.

Hunhoff went on to tell the truth about how this has all gone down, as well:

Democratic legislators were the only voices in Pierre for ending the structural deficit until two weeks ago. We have fought for years to instill some budget discipline in the process so we could plan wisely for the future.

Gov. Daugaard failed to see a problem until he took the oath of office, but now he wants to change it before Easter by recklessly damaging our schools and our community health-care centers.

His plan would cost South Dakota in many ways. We’ll lose great teachers. Classroom sizes will be bigger. Costs will shift to property taxpayers. Nursing homes and non-profit health providers will close. The young and the poor will suffer the most.

When will South Dakotans wake up to the fact that a Republican monopoly unchallenged by the voters is not serving them well?

Another crown for Rep. Conzet

Okay, actually two:

• HB 1067 would increase the lookback period (to 10 years) for the enhancement of penalties for multiple assaults and violations of protection orders.
  
• SB 71 would prohibit texting while driving (with reasonable exceptions)
  

I encourage you to contact Rep Conzet and the other sponsors, as well as others, in support of these two excellent bills.

Yes, government does have the power to make our lives better. And we have a role in helping make that happen!

South Dakota K-12 in the balance

Graphic from the Associated School Boards of SD -- read more about it here.

From today's AP story (thanks to the RCJ):

A challenge to the state Legislature's system for funding school districts has reached the South Dakota Supreme Court, which will hear arguments today in the case.... The lawsuit, which was filed in 2006, argues that the constitution entitles students to a free, adequate and quality education.

Well, I don't think what the state constitution says is in argument. The question is whether the legislature is honoring their commitment to K-12 as mandated by the State Constitution when they grow the rest of state government at a higher rate than K-12 education while starving the state with an ever-more-regressive tax code.

The tragedy is that the increasingly Republican-controlled legislature has been more interested in creating a so-called "business-friendly" (you can ask my friend Cory about that!) state than honoring their commitment to our state's future in good times. Now, when budget crunch time comes, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Maybe it's just karma that Republicans are going to have to make the hard choices caused by their lack of foresight (and vision). Maybe that's not the tragedy, that's just fair. The kids, especially those that really need help in school, are the ones that are truly getting the short end of the stick.

Capable young people (the ones with the great test scores that "prove" to Republicans we're doing just fine in our schools, thank you) are quite aware of the kids around them that are falling through the many cracks in our underfunded system, see what our priorities are -- and will continue to take their brains and energy elsewhere after graduation.

The founders of our State got this -- why don't our politicians? Will our new Governor may just be forced to follow the law by "activist judges" that are "strict constructionists" with our state constitution?

Mathew Murray Event

Mathew Murray is running as an Independent in District 32 this fall for State House. Here's your chance to meet him and throw him a little support as he takes on the partisan machine!


WINE AND CHEESE TASTING
FUND RAISER – MEET THE CANDIDATE
MATHEW MURRAY, INDEPENDENT DISTRICT 32 HOUSE
QUINCY HOUSE, 1228 QUINCY
(CORNER WEST AVE. & QUINCY)
SATURDAY JULY 24, 2010 AT 4:30P – 6:30P

More info, email: Matmurraydist32@gmail.com

District 32 has options

Yes it's true -- you can have a representative in the State House that was not hand-picked by Governor Rounds from the Pierre political class!



UPDATE:

Meet Mat!

WINE AND CHEESE TASTING
FUND RAISER – MEET THE CANDIDATE
MATHEW MURRAY, INDEPENDENT DISTRICT 32 HOUSE
QUINCY HOUSE, 1228 QUINCY – CORNER WEST AVE. & QUINCY
SATURDAY JULY 24, 2010 AT 4:30P – 6:30P

Rep. Conzet goes to summer camp!

Our newly minted Representative has been selected by our Republican Legislature's leadership to go to a legislative training. According to Kristin Conzet's Facebook page, she is on her way and very excited about it!

She breathlessly announced:

I was fortunate to be selected to attend the 2010 Program for Emerging Political Leaders.

Class discussions will examine qualities and characteristics of leadership including: ethical leadership, the art of compromise and coalition building and the philosophical underpinnings of representative democracy.

This program sounds kind of cool, but I would hope someone who has been chosen to serve in the Legislature would have some clue about such things already.

But I digress.

This event is held at the Darden School at the University of Virginia. (No gays need apply I guess.) But okay, it's a neat program and I hope she comes back with lots of great ideas about democracy and stuff.

There are other opinions.... A friend muses:

Anyway, the fact of the matter is I have watched outstanding candidates run against the Republican machine in Dist. 32 who campaign their hearts out, send out literature, door knock, forum, letters to the editor – only to lose to appointees with no experience and who never made an attempt to campaign...

I find it sad that Conzet has to attend a “leadership course”(per her facebook) to gain credibility.

My friend certainly has a point in that Republicans have typically been showing the kind of "leadership" that has really taken this country in the wrong direction: bennies and tax cuts for their friends, with "trickle down" the rule for everyone else. Hopefully Conzet will get a clue to avoid that "ethic" -- though she sure didn't show it with her party-line vote against basic fairness in South Dakota.

What I love is the conservative meme of self-reliance, and the trust that America is a "level playing field" without intervention, when contrasted with the life story of our conservative icons (Bill Kristol, John McCain, Bill Frist, President(s)s Bush, and, yes, our own District's Reps. Conzet and Gosch -- they are where they are because of their family and personal connections put them at the head of the line. Frankly I'm amazed that Conzet STILL refuses to publicly admit that her relationship with Gov Rounds had absolutely nothing to do with her selection, that she was "very qualified" for the position when her main political experience had been fundraising among the moneyed Republicans of South Dakota.

We have other candidates in District 32 that may give Rep Conzet a run for her money -- both registered Republicans BTW... more on that later.

Angie Buhl is the youngest legislator ever!

This is such incredible news. Congratulations Angie -- and congratulations to District 15 for choosing a fine new state senator-elect!

And many thanks are due to Sen. Miles for her years of service - I know we don't agree but I have a great deal of appreciation for anyone that is willing to serve in the Legislature -- it can be a thankless office and the pay is pretty minimal.

Dear Friends,

As you know, Tuesday was a victorious night for us. With your help, we were able to defeat 8 year incumbent Kathy Miles by a solid 59-41 margin. We also made history. You helped send the youngest woman ever elected to the South Dakota state legislature to Pierre next January.

This happened because of you. And I thank you for it!

We learned what we all already knew to be true: that District 15 wants representation that's about our people, not the politics it has seen in the past. With the help of so many friends and family, supporters, and donors, we were able to give that voice back to District 15. We should be very proud and celebrate this significant victory!

But our work is never over. While I don't have a challenger in the November general election, we need to make sure we all step up to help other candidates who do. As we learned with this race, when we all come together, we can do great things. Let's work together to continue to make South Dakota a better place while spreading our message of people, not politics.


Thank you for your support and enjoy this victory -- it's yours!

Elizabeth Kraus is testing our trust

Kevin Woster had a good laugh today in the RCJ - sort of:

I had to laugh, despite the hyper-serious bold black type that screamed out from the yellow background of the oversized political postcard. Newsroom staffer Sheri Sponder dropped it off at my desk Thursday morning, figuring I'd like to know what was happening in District 33. That's where former legislator Duniphan is running against former legislator Elizabeth Kraus in the Republican state Senate primary.

"It really hit me hard today," Duniphan said after the flurry of mailings. "And there's nothing I can do at this point to respond."

Kraus when called, disavowed knowledge, having "plausible deniability" ...

Kraus said she didn't have anything to do with the mailings and disapproved of the distortions some included. "I wouldn't do that," she said. "If I had to go dirty to win, I don't want it."

Do you take her word for it? She's a Christian, after all.

An excellent candidate in Sioux Falls

Letters: Buhl willing to listen

Helen J. Frank • Sioux Falls • May 21, 2010 Sioux Falls Argus Leader

I recently had the opportunity to meet and talk with state Senate candidate Angie Buhl. As a longtime member of the South Dakota political community, I was impressed with her willingness to listen to the people of our district and her passion for human services - something I haven't seen from a candidate in a long time.

Our district needs someone in Pierre who communicates with their constituents and understands their needs. We also need someone who has the passion and drive to get something done in their time in office. Buhl is that person.

I encourage all District 15 Democrats to vote in the June 8 primary election to send Buhl to Pierre. She will be the first one on the ballot.

Tired of the same 'ol in Pierre? Slide Angie a little support!

We need another candidate in District 32!

I think it's very unfortunate that we have no Dems running in District 32 and therefore no primary choices for Legislature. As a matter of fact, This is the sum total of my ballot for the primary election in June:



Yup, that's it. Although I will get to vote for my friend of the citizens Patti Martinson (one of the FEW that refused to censure Sam Kooiker for having the audacity to look into city business on our behalf), that's it. Heck— it's enough to make me register Republican so I can vote for Gordon just to give Dennis Daugaard a headache. (You can't dance with these people without consequences!)

To see what's on YOUR ballot (and check your voter registration) -- click here.

PLEASE, someone, register as an independent candidates so.. we an have some independent legislators! Both Reps. Gosch and Conzet have pretty much voted with the Republican leadership on everything (with a notable exception for Rep Conzet - THANK YOU for breaking ranks and voting for the women of South Dakota). It sure would be great to have a real race in 2010, where issues get discussed. Without a challenger, why would our incumbents even show up this year for their job evaluation from the voters of District 32?? As a Federal employee, I get evaluated twice a year; having to face questions from the voters every two years isn't too much to ask.




Even if they are not challenged, I really hope someone shows up and asks them about things like this:

But with no challengers, why should they even show up?

Kristin Conzet Corrections

I got a note from Rep. Kristin Conzet today with some important news for all you readers.

I apologize for the errors and misconceptions and hope that we hear more from Ms. Conzet during the campaign -- honestly very few people in my District know anything about her, it would be nice to be clued in a bit as she goes the process of being re-elected.

OK, here we go:

* It's Kristin not Kristen Conzet.

* Rep Conzet was NOT executive director of Storybook Island in 2005 (or ever, apparently).
(Correction: she was ED later, Rep Conzet informed me - "for a short time") According to Rep. Conzet, that's Kristen Conzet at the Easter Egg Hunt reported in the RCJ, not her? Oh, a misprint. She should take that up with the RCJ.

* I have no business saying that Rounds and Conzet's father have "a close business relationship" because I haven't been present to see them interact, even though her father "brought him on board" more than 20 years ago. But of course, neither does the RCJ, the Argus, or the Capital Journal, to wit:

Conzet knows Mike Rounds, who happens to be both the governor and a business partner with Karl Fischer, Conzet's dad. They're pals as well as partners in that East River-West River community of Pierre-Fort Pierre...

I apologize for all of us.


Now that I've corrected the record, I hope Rep. Conzet can let us know what she's been doing in the Legislature and why she and Brian Gosch should be returned to Pierre, besides the the fact that it's a foregone conclusion in this dramatically R-dominated part of the world. I know she made some really courageous votes. I hope to hear more about it in the coming months.

Please, Rep. Conzet, I am not against you -- but you are in absolute denial if you don't think the circumstances of your appointment and your status as a one of the very few female legislators doesn't demand something more from you in the way of sharing information with your District!!

This isn't a crazy blogger thing (not that I'm crazy... ok maybe a little bit) -- real journalists and watchdog groups ask questions because it's an issue. To gain more credibility, you are simply going to have to get out there and speak to the issues more clearly than you did back in December. And talk up your record -- it sounds like you may have a lot of interesting things to say.

It isn't like your election is in doubt -- so why not get out there and let us know who our junior legislator is? It would be good for you and good for our politics around here. There is far too much silence.

Governor Rounds' cronyism puts Rep. Conzet in the national spotlight

CREW, a bipartisan government watchdog organization, just released a list of the eleven worst governors across the Nation. Prominent on the list is our own Gov Marion M. Rounds.

In compiling Worst Governors, CREW reviewed the job performances of all 50 U.S. governors before identifying the worst 11. Though ethics laws, campaign finance rules and financial disclosure regulations vary from state to state, CREW found these governors’ proclivities for corruption, cronyism and self-enrichment outweighed their competency, integrity and commitment to transparency.

I guess googling "Kristin Conzet" will no longer harvest so few results, not because of anything she did (or didn't do in) in Pierre, but instead because she gets honorable mention in CREW's "worst Governor" rating for Rounds:

Gov. Rounds rewarded a business partner when he appointed his partner’s daughter, Kristen [sic] Conzet, to an open seat in the state legislature. In late 2009, state Rep. Brian Dreyer of Rapid City, S.D., resigned his seat pending his deployment to Afghanistan; Gov. Rounds then appointed Ms. Conzet to fill his seat. Gov. Rounds and Ms. Conzet’s father, Karl Fischer, run insurance and real estate agencies together.

I'm so proud.