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Senator Lederman Awarded Toll Fellowship

2013 Toll Fellowship Award to Dan Lederman

South Dakota State Senator Dan Lederman (R – Dakota Dunes) announced today that he has been selected for and will participate in the prestigious Henry Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by the Council of State Governments (CSG). The Henry Toll Fellowship Program is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials and the most widely recognized one serving all three branches.

“I am looking forward to an intensive learning experience that will enhance my ability to work with others to seek solutions for the problems South Dakota faces,” Lederman stated about the Toll Fellowship.

The annual week-long seminar, named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded CSG in 1933, works to empower leaders from all three branches of state government.

The CSG Toll Fellows program brings individual state leaders together in a way that no other program can. It provides for an inspiring week of introspection, group dynamics and adaptive leadership training. It is designed to help state officials learn more about themselves as leaders, how teams function, how to communicate more effectively and how to reignite their passion to govern.

“I look forward to the 2014 Legislative Session and using the lessons I’m going to learn through this program to better position South Dakota for new growth opportunities,” stated Lederman.

Click here to see the full 2013 Toll Fellowship Class.

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State Senator Lederman Weighs in on Tribal Economic Development

State Senator Dan Lederman filed a letter of support for Native American Telecom, a minority-owned South Dakota telecommunications company this week. The letter outlined the investment made in the Crow Creek and Pine Ridge reservations. Lederman stated, “I’m proud to stand by this company and all it has done to create tribal economic development.”

This letter came before the Public Utilities Commission hearing where Sprint challenged NAT’s request for a certificate of authority. Usually a certificate is granted within 60 days. Due to Sprint’s opposition the case has dragged on for 18 months.

Lederman further stated “Companies like NAT provide consumers with a low-cost means of communication while creating jobs and development on the Crow Creek and Pine Ridge reservations.”

Click for full letter

Click for full letter

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State Rep. Patty Miller Resigns

State Rep. Patty Miller

State Rep. Patty Miller

PIERRE, S.D. – State Rep. Patty Miller has resigned from her seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives.  Miller, a Republican from McCook Lake, represents District 16.  She has served in the state House since 2011.

District 16 includes all of the Union County, and southern and eastern portions of Lincoln County, including the cities of Worthing, Canton, Beresford and Hudson.

“I thank Rep. Miller for her service,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said.  “Patty is an earnest and hard-working legislator, and she will be missed.”

State Senator Dan Lederman commented today on State Representative Patty Miller’s resignation. “It’s with a heavy heart that I wish Representative Miller well in her new endeavors. She’s been a strong conservative voice for our District who genuinely cared for people. Life would not be rewarding without new challenges and ‘new mountains to climb,’ and I know she’ll meet her new opportunities with the same warmth and enthusiasm she always had in serving the people of South Dakota.”

Miller’s resignation, effective immediately, is for personal reasons.

The resignation creates a vacancy that will be filled by gubernatorial appointment, and the Governor is asking members of the public to nominate candidates to fill the position.

“My priority in filling this vacancy is to find a legislator who will be a strong representative for the people of District 16,” Gov. Daugaard said.  “That is why I am asking the public to nominate candidates as I make this decision.”

Those wishing to offer nominations should contact Will Mortenson in the Office of the Governor at 605-773-5999.

Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current address, telephone number, and relevant background information.  The Governor expects to fill the vacancy by the late spring or early summer.

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Kristen Rarrat Serves as Legislative Page

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Kristen Rarrat of Jefferson is currently serving as a Senate Legislative Page at the Capitol in Pierre. Kristen is a senior at Elk Point-Jefferson High School. Rarrat plans to attend SDSU majoring in Biology with an emphasis on pre-veterinary medicine.

State Senator Dan Lederman stated, “I want to thank Kristen Rarrat for all her hard work during this legislative session. I am proud to have sponsored her and expect to see her excel in her future endeavors.”

Each session the Legislature utilizes high school seniors as pages. Pages are appointed to serve in the House of Representatives or the Senate. Application is made through a sponsoring legislator. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Applications are available at: http://legis.state.sd.us/page

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Union County Republicans Elect Board

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From the Elk Point Leader Courier:

(Elk Point, SD) The Union County Republicans met on January 3 to elect a state of officers to serve on their executive board. State Senator Dan Lederman was re-elected as chairman while State Representative Patty Miller also won re-election as vice chair. The secretary and treasurer positions are combined and Merle Pochop of Beresford was re-elected to serve another two years in that role.

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South Dakota lawmakers consider allowing school employees to carry guns

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From KTIV News on Channel 4

The deadly shootings at a Connecticut elementary school in December have many groups talking about guns. Some of the talk, including at the White House, is about banning certain types of guns.

However, the talk at the South Dakota Legislature is about whether people should be able to carry them in schools.

It’s sure to be one of the most contentious topics in Pierre.

“We’ve created sitting ducks by having gun free zones,” said Senator Dan Lederman, a republican from Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.

Full Story>>

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Kimberly Chow Named Winner of American Legion Speech Contest

Kimberly Chow and American Legion Post #319

Kimberly Chow and American Legion Post #319

Kimberly Chow was named the winner of the American Legion Constitutional Oratorical Contest on January 3rd. She will compete at the district level contest in Wagner on January 13th. Ms. Chow’s speech focused on the evolution of our Constitution and how it has adapted to an ever-changing society. Below is an excerpt from her speech:
“Through the power of our votes, our letters, and our lobbying, we can revolutionize our country. We select our representatives and our senators to voice our opinions. Through them, we can make amendments, we can make laws, we can change laws, we could impeach our government leaders, raise or lower taxes, declare wars, ensure peace, and everything that the Constitution states our government can do, we can do.”
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is an opportunity for students seeking funding sources for continuing education and an academic challenge. Students learn about our country’s Constitution in a contest that has been held by The American Legion for more than 70 years.
The main purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

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Russell Olson Re-elected as Majority Leader – Lederman Joins Senate Leadership

From the Madison Daily Leader:

District 8 Sen. Russell Olson of Madison considers it an extreme honor to be elected unanimously as Senate Majority Leader for another two years.

“It is a great reassurance that my colleagues appreciate my leadership style and that they are confident in the direction we are headed,” Olson said Tuesday (today), a day after he was re-elected by the Republican caucus.

In addition, Tim Rave of Baltic was elected as Assistant Majority Leader, Corey Brown of Gettysburg won election to the position of President Pro Tempore and three whip positions were filled by Larry Rhoden of Union Center, Ryan Maher of Isabel and Dan Lederman of Dakota Dunes.

Senator Russell Olson spoke of the choices for Majority Whips:

“These guys are seasoned legislators (who) will quickly relate to our new and diverse caucus,” Olson said.

Read the full story here

 

Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson

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Lederman Wins in Landslide Election Against Negative Campaign

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Newly re-elected District 16 State Senator Dan Lederman remarked today that he was thankful for the support from voters, and hopes this election marks a new path for South Dakota politics, as he issued the following statement today:

“Last night, District 16 voters proved that negative campaigning doesn’t work, and that voters are intelligent enough to know the difference between legitimate concerns, and nonsense that political hacks throw out there to try to try to knock down an opponent.”

“The 2012 election marked a new high in negative postcards being used in South Dakota State Legislative races, due to negative mail campaign being run out of Democrat Headquarters in Sioux Falls by State Democratic Party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf. Having been a legislator once himself, Ben should have given voters a lot more credit for knowing what’s fair in political campaigns, and had more honor than to mail out postcards that were in some cases utterly false.”

“As voters, we all need to send a message to political parties to keep it positive, and stick to the issues. I’m glad that I was able to win running a positive campaign, and I look forward to representing District 16 residents in Pierre this next January.”

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Lederman Earns High Rating on Veteran Issues

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Senator Dan Lederman was rated this week on votes regarding Veteran issues from the last two legislative sessions. Lederman scored 94% and was rated in the top five in the state senate.

State Senator Dan Lederman is an active member of the American Legion Post #319 in North Sioux City and former combat medic with the Army National Guard.

Click here to see the full report card

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