This helplessness in growing an economy is typical of Republicans. Republicans CAN'T, that was CANNOT, grow an economy when there is little reserves in the state treasury. As a matter of fact the less in the state treasury the better for Republicans.
This seems to be the common thread for Republican governors this year. It is like ALEC. Everyone does the same silly thing, because they don't know how to do it any differently. If the South Dakota treasury needed to be increased for any reason taxes are out of the question.
Get it? The Republicans are CONFLICTED between a strong economy with a strong Middle Class because it would cost their cronies money. A strong Middle Class requires good wages and Republican cronies, while raking in millions and billions simply won't pay even a living wage to workers. They put their employees on welfare and then seek foreign investment to increase opportunity AT MINIMUM WAGE or less and the people need to be grateful for it. No health insurance, probably part time labor, no vacation and no worker rights. They probably don't even have a reliable time clock.
This seems to be the common thread for Republican governors this year. It is like ALEC. Everyone does the same silly thing, because they don't know how to do it any differently. If the South Dakota treasury needed to be increased for any reason taxes are out of the question.
Get it? The Republicans are CONFLICTED between a strong economy with a strong Middle Class because it would cost their cronies money. A strong Middle Class requires good wages and Republican cronies, while raking in millions and billions simply won't pay even a living wage to workers. They put their employees on welfare and then seek foreign investment to increase opportunity AT MINIMUM WAGE or less and the people need to be grateful for it. No health insurance, probably part time labor, no vacation and no worker rights. They probably don't even have a reliable time clock.
By David Montgomery
...U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson, a Democrat, and his superiors at the Justice Department declined an invitation to discuss the investigation with a legislative committee, and Johnson has consistently refused to comment on the investigation's existence -- even when other sources have disclosed it....
Let's get something straight, US Attorneys (at least under Obama) are not political animals. This investigation won't be discussed until all the facts are in. Look how long the NJ State investigation of Bridgegate took and the US Attorney announced there were no charges of Governor Christi BEFORE the 2014 election. So anyone in South Dakota, including the Argus Leader, that wants to imply this is all political in regard to EB5 is lying. The truth is the investigation is not complete and if Rounds makes it to the Senate he may not be there long.
EB5 is being pursued by South Carolina, Michigan and evidently South Dakota.
...Now, according (click here) to bankruptcy documents obtained by the Journal last week, some answers have come to light.
Records show the third and final round of foreign financiers for the Northern Beef plant were 50 Chinese nationals who invested $500,000 each in the plant. In addition, each immigration program applicant shelled out $45,000 more that was split among the state-sanctioned private corporation and lawyers.
Most of those investors, however, have not gotten their visas, according to an attorney involved in the proceedings, and they appear unlikely to get back their investments. Right now, it's unclear where all that money went....
I can understand why the US Attorney is involved, this is serious. It is on the precipice of fraud. Not only that a Visa is federal. Worse than that the monies were suppose to produce jobs. That was the purpose of the EB5 and nothing has happened to benefit the investors or the prospective employees. South Dakota is on the hook for billions of dollars and it still has an unemployment problem. 
The reason this is like water off a duck's back is because the investigation is not complete and the people of South Dakota can't ever say Rounds will be indicted.
I wouldn't even worry about it if I were running for US Senate. I'll say this much though; the fact South Dakota didn't have an unemployment rate (yes 5.3% is not an unemployment rate to worry about - unless of course the leadership in South Dakota is this inept) is fraud right from the beginning. So, I don't know why there should be a question in anyone's mind about this case. If Rounds is involved then he dirty somewhere, even if he decided South Dakota actually needed an unemployment program. There are a lot of questions with this mess.
South Dakota is doing remarkably well, primarily because of agriculture and a reprieve from drought in 2012.
June 11, 2014
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s economy (click here) continues to grow at a faster rate than the national economy, according to the most recent gross domestic product (GDP) numbers released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce.
South Dakota’s GDP grew 6.8 percent from 2012 to 2013 compared to a 3.47 percent growth nationally. South Dakota’s percentage increase was the fourth highest in the nation, trailing only North Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho.
“For the fourth year in a row, South Dakota’s GDP has increased,” said Gov. Dennis Daugaard. “During the last five years, our state’s economy has grown by 25 percent compared to the national growth rate of 14 percent.”
South Dakota’s economic growth was led by the agricultural sector which rebounded from a drought year in 2012 and then posted a 34 percent increase this year. The state also saw strong growth in the banking, wholesale and health care industries.
GDP statistics are released by the Bureau as a measure of comprehensive economic activity. GDP numbers are preliminary, and South Dakota’s ranking could fluctuate as the figures are adjusted and refined.
Really? Now that is interesting. As of the reporting of this GDP report South Dakota did not accept Medicaid Expansion although the governor stated he wants to see how it is working for the rest of the country before denying it. Health care companies whether they are in the 26 states that accepted the Medicaid expansion or not will benefit even indirectly through increased sales.
And there is a controversy. It would seem as though some citizens in South Dakota want to increase out of network providers. It sounds like a good idea.
July 28, 2014
By Reid Wilson
A ballot measure (click here) that would require health insurers to cover out-of-network doctor visits is dividing two sides of the medical industry in South Dakota, sparking a costly campaign and a debate over health care led by two groups with big financial stakes.
Really? Now that is interesting. As of the reporting of this GDP report South Dakota did not accept Medicaid Expansion although the governor stated he wants to see how it is working for the rest of the country before denying it. Health care companies whether they are in the 26 states that accepted the Medicaid expansion or not will benefit even indirectly through increased sales.
And there is a controversy. It would seem as though some citizens in South Dakota want to increase out of network providers. It sounds like a good idea.
July 28, 2014
By Reid Wilson
A ballot measure (click here) that would require health insurers to cover out-of-network doctor visits is dividing two sides of the medical industry in South Dakota, sparking a costly campaign and a debate over health care led by two groups with big financial stakes.
The proposal, Initiated Measure 17, would require insurance companies to allow qualified health-care professionals onto their approved list of providers, so long as the providers agree to accept the rates those insurance companies set. The measure is similar to several other states that have laws known as “Any Willing Provider” on the books....
It seems as though South Dakota has found the answer to Americans' prayers.
...But bigger hospitals and the insurance companies themselves oppose the measure, which they say would drive up costs. The current system, insurers say, allows insurance companies to keep costs low. Opening plans to new providers will add layers of bureaucracy that only increase patient costs....
That is nonsense. At the very most it would require more providers in their computer network, but, the clerical work isn't going to increase. It is just a matter of having the physicians and/or hospitals submit the proper paper for approval and it's done. The people opposing this see profits going out the window. That is why it is opposed.
This is simply math. Either pay the in network doctor or pay the out of network doctor the same amount and there is no problem FOR ANYONE.
Rick Wieland needs to take a stand to support those that want the bill passed and promise to work in the US Senate to bring it to a national agenda to improve physician choice. I think it is the best idea I've heard yet.
Non-farm employment is less than half of the entire population of SD. 336, 246 to be exact according to 2012 records. Those folks are employed by 25,773 non-farm employers.
That median income doesn't really surprise me because farmers have large overhead and while they have a great cash flow, they have far smaller incomes than most realize. If I were candidate for US Senate and I wanted to do something to improve the lives of the people of South Dakota, I'd want to examine the wage structure for the non-farm laborers, along with their health insurance and vacation pay. Some of the non-farm income is also going to be small businesses. So, there is a lot there in common with Democrats considering it was President Obama that brought the Small Business Administration online after the global economic collapse.
But, I'd also like to see more profit for the farmers. I am sure there are some with fairly good profits and of course a farmer's greatest asset is the land and livestock. But, I am not talking about loans, so much as lowering overhead through cooperatives, especially the fuel sector. I'd want to meet with cooperatives and ask how things could be better. I'd like to see dedicated small family farms clearing at least $75,000 a year to make life a little more comfortable.
If I were a US Senator, I'd have everyone on my Rolodex, basically. I want to know that they are doing well and improving all the time. It would be fun to be a US Senator for South Dakota. A lot of fun.
