From the Rounds campaign:
It is no surprise the Argus Leader did not endorse Governor Mike Rounds for another term, but it is unfortunate their editorial writers deliberately mislead South Dakota voters. The Argus has received over three years worth of press releases relating to programs and accomplishments achieved during that time, yet consciously disregarded that information in their non-endorsement editorial.
Help correct the misinformation spread by the Argus. Please share the facts below with your friends and family.
ARGUS MYTH- Rounds' solution to the woes of our agriculture industry is promoting South Dakota Certified Beef. It's a worthy idea but hardly far-reaching.
FACT: Governor Rounds has aggressively promoted rural and agricultural development. The Governor’s SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED TM beef program is only one of many examples of agricultural development with the leadership of Governor Rounds. The new program is a rapidly growing success story that is already benefiting numerous South Dakota beef processors and livestock producers.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds has been a strong leader in promoting the ethanol industry. Since 2003, Governor Rounds has led the state into a new era of ethanol production. Through aggressive promotion, new legislation, incentives, and low interest state loans and grants, ethanol production with the leadership of Governor Rounds has more than tripled from 165 million gallons per year to over 550 million gallons per year.
The Argus Leader ignored the fact that Governor Rounds has provided unprecedented leadership in promoting agricultural research:
- Governor Rounds created the Center for Bio-processing Research and Development which is located within the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at SDSMT and will be operated in conjunction with SDSU. The center will focus on research that leads to new technologies for processing plant-derived materials in an effort to reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum and lower the production of greenhouse gases.
- Governor Rounds is also implementing the Research Center for Drought Tolerance Biotechnology at SDSU. The Center will be a true partnership involving the many seed and crop related entities, crop research and promotion boards and individual biotechnology companies. The partners have already committed more than $6 million over the next three years to build the Seed Technology Center on the Innovation Campus to support research efforts.
The Argus ignored the fact that with these two, and the four other Research Centers created under Governor Rounds, our young people now have even more opportunities to stay in South Dakota.
The Argus ignored the Governor’s leadership in making other value-added ventures become a reality. Because of the Governor’s leadership, a $45 million dollar turkey processing plant was built in Huron and is adding value to our agricultural products while creating numerous good paying jobs with benefits. The Governor also worked with soybean producers to help create one of the nation’s largest biodiesel plants in Volga. Furthermore, the Governor has aggressively promoted South Dakota Made products through the Department of Tourism and State Development.
ARGUS MYTH- His solution to education funding was a minor increase in money this last year - rejected by even his own party as far too little.
FACT: Education funding has been a priority for Governor Rounds. With Governor Rounds’ leadership, state aid to local school districts has increased by over $475 per student- 36% more than the rate of inflation (and smaller schools get 20% more).
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds has created and implemented a 2010 Education plan with input from hundreds of educators, parents and business leaders from across the state. The plan includes more than fifty action items to improve education in our state through the year 2010.
The Argus ignored the fact Governor Rounds has created over 2,000 more scholarships for our students who want to remain in South Dakota after college graduation.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds provided the leadership to expand USDSU so more working South Dakotans would be able to achieve their goals of a college education… and provide a better educated workforce to meet the growing needs of our business communities.
ARGUS MYTH- His solution to low wages was an increase in the minimum wage - a good idea - which he let die in the Legislature with hardly a whimper.
FACT: Far from letting the minimum wage bill die, Governor Rounds introduced the legislation and personally testified in support of it in committee- a rare action taken by governors. In 1997, Governor Rounds was the prime Senate sponsor on the legislation which last raised minimum wage and he is committed to raising the minimum wage in the future.
The Argus ignored the fact that South Dakota has led the nation in per capita personal income growth for the last three years and that over 18,000 new jobs have been created since Governor Rounds took office.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds’ 2010 Initiative – which set aggressive goals for economic development and tourism in South Dakota – has already had tremendous successes as we increased our Gross State Product to a record $29.4 billion last year and increased visitor spending to over $800 million per year – an all time high.
ARGUS MYTH- And where does he really stand? He says he favors the death penalty, but he halted the execution of Elijah Page - even though the attorney general (of his own party) said there was no legal need to do so. He signed the bill banning abortion - all the while saying he opposed it.
FACT: Governor Rounds has been consistent in his support of the death penalty and he fully expects the execution of Elijah Page to be carried out once state law is fixed. He has never wavered on his support for the death penalty.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds has never wavered on his Pro-life stance and has never said he opposed HB 1215. He signed the bill and has publicly stated his personal support to uphold the bill.
ARGUS MYTH- … a lack of understanding, or lack of willingness to accept, tht South Dakotans have an inherent right to open government.
FACT: The Argus ignored the fact that South Dakota state government is now more open to citizens than in any other time in history. Anyone with internet access can get just about any information they want about state government – without the information being filtered by the press.
ARGUS MYTH – The Argus Leader argues "nothing has changed" in regard to the issue of "Our rural population is declining, and our young people are leaving."
FACT: With unprecedented growth in the ethanol industry and other value-added ventures, many rural areas are experiencing remarkable growth. More of our kids are staying in South Dakota. Because of Governor Rounds’ new scholarship programs, investment in USDSU and creation of research centers, our universities are experiencing record enrollments. The job market has also improved- with 18,000 new jobs being created during Rounds’ first term.
ARGUS MYTH – The Argus Leader argues "nothing has changed" in regard to the issue of "Public schools - from kindergarten to college - are underfunded, and our public school teachers have the worst pay in the nation."
FACT: With Governor Rounds’ leadership, state aid to local school districts has increased by over $475 per student- 36% more than the rate of inflation. Last year, Governor Rounds introduced legislation that would have increased teacher pay and he will continue to address this issue.
ARGUS MYTH – The Argus Leader argues "nothing has changed" in regard to the issue of "The elderly might very well lose what access to health care they have."
FACT: Governor Rounds has worked to protect health care coverage for the elderly. The Argus ignored the fact that, immediately after taking office, Governor Rounds started a prescription drug program for our senior citizens so that they would have something to take care of them until the federal government implemented Medicare Part D.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds led the way for people who are living in nursing homes with Medicaid assistance so they can keep double what they were previously receiving for their personal needs each month.
The Argus ignored the fact that it was Governor Rounds and the Republican controlled legislature that created the Insurance Risk Pool to protect people who lose their health insurance coverage through no fault of their own.
The Argus ignored the fact that South Dakota’s uninsured population is one of the lowest in the nation at 8.5%- slightly over half of the national average.
ARGUS MYTH – The Argus Leader argues "nothing has changed" in regard to the issue of "An uncertain future overshadows our agricultural economy."
FACT: Despite six years of drought, South Dakota’s agriculture economy is strong and growing. With an unprecedented commitment to renewable energy, the future of our economy is very bright.
The Argus ignored the fact that in addition to growth in the renewable fuels industry, wind power generation is rapidly growing. Within the next 18 months, South Dakota will be producing enough wind-generated electricity to provide power for about 15% of all homes in the state. The Governor’s 2010 Initiative goal of becoming an energy exporting state is quickly becoming a reality.
ARGUS MYTH – The Argus Leader argues "nothing has changed" in regard to the issue of "State-tribal relations are abysmal."
FACT: To address state-tribal relations, Governor Rounds has met with tribal leaders at his home.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds created the Indian Education Advisory Council to work with public and tribal schools to improve the quality of K-12 education.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds has entered into tax agreements with the tribes to make more revenue available to tribal governments.
The Argus ignored the fact that he also signed legislation to allow Medicaid funded nursing homes to be built on reservations.
In addition, the Governor and Republican legislature created the Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Scholarship Program to better serve Native American students.
Among other facts ignored by the Argus are:
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds’ leadership helped to make Homestake a frontrunner to host the Deep Underground Science & Engineering Laboratory.
The Argus ignored the fact that while Governor Rounds points to the spirit of cooperation among elected officials – Democrat and Republican alike – he played a key role in saving Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds is the only major party candidate who will protect South Dakota’s trust funds for future generations as he understands the difference between trust funds and reserve funds.
The Argus ignored the fact that Governor Rounds was instrumental in bringing Hematech and other businesses to Sioux Falls and surrounding communities.
