Category

South Dakota

Feb 23 2020
0
We the people

Protect Our Constitution – Another Bill!

By | South Dakota | No Comments

“Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention … I should tremble for the result of a second.” “the most violent partisans,” and “individuals of insidious views” would strive to be delegates and would have “a dangerous opportunity of sapping the very foundations of the fabric” of our Country.- James Madison’s letter to G.L. Turberville, 1788

SJR 503 is a good resolution regarding the Article V Constitutional Convention and deserves our support.

Background: In 2015, the South Dakota legislature passed a resolution (HJR1001), applying to Congress to call a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of altering the U.S. Constitution by adding a Balanced Budget Amendment. SJR 503 is a good resolution to rescind that 2015 measure.

  • A Balanced Budget Amendment sounds like a good idea, but Congress has the power of the purse and can limit their spending to the enumerated powers delegated to them in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. If they obeyed the U.S. Constitution and their spending limits, the budget would be under control.
  • A Constitutional Convention may not be limited to one subject or amendment. It is too risky to open the U.S. Constitution to whatever delegates would like to bring, such as the Equal Rights Amendment, a repeal of the Second Amendment, a repeal of the Electoral College, a new constitution, etc.
  • SJR503 would make South Dakota free of any Constitutional Convention applications.

SJR503 was heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee today and the vote was deferred to Monday, February 24. We want a yes vote. Assuming it passes out of committee, it will be voted on in the full Senate on Tuesday, February 25.

Please take action:

  1. Contact your state senator and urge him/her to “Support SJR503.” Be sure to provide your name and address, so he/she knows you are their constituent.
  • Click here to view the list of legislators and then click on their e-mail address.
  • In addition, phone the senate lobby and leave a message. (605) 773-3821. Again, provide your name and address.
  • Click here if you do not know who your legislators are, or you may call your county auditor to find out their name.
  1. Pass this alert on to others and ask them to contact their senator as well.

Please read our brochure “The U.S. Constitution is Not the Problem!” to understand this topic further.

Please join me in prayer, Father, we thank you for our country and the amazing founding document you directed brilliant men to create. We ask Your protection of our U.S. Constitution from those who wish to do mischief with it. We ask that American citizens would be knowledgeable about our government and that lawmakers would obey the Constitution. Bless our nation with righteousness and revival. May we be a nation that blesses and honors You.

Blessings,
Linda Schauer
State Director

Feb 13 2020
0

Victory for the U.S. Constitution!

By | South Dakota | No Comments

“Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention … I should tremble for the result of a second.” “the most violent partisans,” and “individuals of insidious views” would strive to be delegates and would have “a dangerous opportunity of sapping the very foundations of the fabric” of our Country.  James Madison’s letter to G.L. Turberville, 1788

HJR5001 is a bad bill that would put our U.S. Constitution in jeopardy by opening it up for amendments (changes) such as the repeal of the Second Amendment or abolishing the Electoral College.  It could even re-energize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) of the 1970s that would solidify taxpayer-funded abortion in the Constitution.  There are some whose aim is to rewrite our Constitution.

We are pleased to report that HJR5001 was defeated in the full House February 12, with a vote of 32-37.  You can check the votes here.  We wanted a NO vote.

If your representatives voted No, please thank them.  If they voted Yes, you may respectfully express your disappointment.

Please read our brochure “The U.S. Constitution is Not the Problem!” to understand this topic.

Talking points:

  • It is too risky to open our Constitution.  Too much national division, radical interest groups.
  • Limit power of the Federal Government, Fiscal restraint — All the goals the Constitutional Convention is trying to achieve are already listed in our Constitution.  It just needs to be obeyed.
  • Too much uncertainty as to how a Constitutional Convention would be conducted.
  • Delegates to a Constitutional Convention could set their own rules with a new ratification mode.
  • Who selects the delegates?  Would California get more than South Dakota?  Unknown.
  • Ideas already suggested for Constitutional Convention consideration: abolish Electoral College, Repeal of Second Amendment, weakening of First Amendment, Equal Rights Amendment, a new constitution.

Contact Information
Click here to view the list of legislators and click on their e-mail address.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are; or you may call your county auditor to find out their name.

Linda Schauer
State Director

Feb 12 2020
0
Child with doctor

Vulnerable Child Protection Act Fails in Senate Committee

By | South Dakota | No Comments
Dear CWA Friends,

A good bill, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act (HB1057), failed in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee February 10, with a vote of 2-5. Check the votes here.  If your senator voted Yes to support the bill, please contact him and thank him.  If your senator voted No, you may respectfully express your disappointment.

Read Concerned Women for America’s complete talking points with documentation here.

Contact Information
Click here to view the list of state senators, and then click on his/her e-mail address. Click here if you do not know who your state senator is; you can also call your county auditor to obtain your senator’s name.

Please pray: Father, we thank you that in Your grand design You created us male and female. We ask that those who struggle with their God-given sex would be happy and healthy in the sex that You created them to be.

God bless you for your prayer and action.
Linda Schauer
State Director

Feb 06 2020
0
Child with doctor

Senators Need to Hear from You – Vulnerable Child Protection Act

By | South Dakota | No Comments

A good bill, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act (HB1057), passed in the full House of Representatives Wednesday, January 29, with a vote of 46-23. Click here to read the bill.  Check the votes here. We wanted a YES vote.

HB1057 now moves to the state senate. The bill will be heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday, February 10. It’s critical that pressure be put on the senate to pass this important piece of legislation.

See our action items below.
HB1057 protects minors who struggle with gender identity from receiving certain dangerous and life-altering drugs and irreversible surgeries that remove healthy organs.  Children struggling with their identity should be protected from unethical sex reassignment interventions that reject their long-term health and well-being.  Here are a few things you should know:

  • Sadly, there are some clinics in South Dakota that are performing these procedures.
  • No long-term scientific research exists to support the safety or efficacy of sex reassignment treatments on children – in fact, there is evidence to the contrary.
  • Studies prove the fluid nature of gender dysphoria: 80% no longer wish to change their sex after puberty. Some studies find the rate as high as 90%.
  • Parents are being misinformed by an activist medical community.
  • There is no scientific evidence substantiating the suicide claim for dysphoria.
  • It is impossible for children and youth to understand, let alone give informed consent about the permanence of treatments and danger to their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Read CWA’s complete talking points with documentation here.

Action Needed!

  1. Contact the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee and urge them to support HB 1057. You may contact members of that committee here.
  2. Contact your state senator and urge him/her to support HB1057, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act.  Click here to view the list of state senators, and then click on his/her e-mail address. Click here if you do not know who your state senator is, or you can call your county auditor to obtain your senator’s name.
  3. In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby at (605) 773-3821 and leave a message for your senator.
  4. Share this information with at least two other concerned friends and family members. Your e-mails and phone calls are very important.

Please pray: Father, we thank you that in Your grand design You created us male and female. We ask that those who struggle with their God-given sex would be happy and healthy in the sex that You created them to be.  Thank you for the favorable consideration of HB1057 in the Senate.

God bless you for your prayer and action.
Linda Schauer
State Director

Feb 05 2020
0
We the people

Protect Our Constitution – Your Action Needed

By | South Dakota | No Comments

“Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention … I should tremble for the result of a second.” “the most violent partisans,” and “individuals of insidious views” would strive to be delegates and would have “a dangerous opportunity of sapping the very foundations of the fabric” of our Country.  James Madison’s letter to G.L. Turberville, 1788

House Joint Resolution 5001 (HJR) is a bad resolution that would put our U.S. Constitution in jeopardy by opening it up for amendments (changes) such as repeal of the Second Amendment or abolishing the Electoral College. It could even re-energize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) of the 1970s that would solidify tax-payer funded abortion in the Constitution. These ideas are currently being discussed as in the state of Virginia where the ERA has passed.  Now Virginia lawmakers are working to gut the Second Amendment.

HJR5001will be heard in the House State Affairs committee the morning of Friday, February 7.  Click here to view the members of that committee.  If one of your state representatives is a member of that committee, we are targeting them to oppose HJR5001.

Please read our brochure “The U.S. Constitution is Not the Problem!” to understand this topic.

We must defeat HJR5001.  Your e-mail to your two representatives is very important.  Please e-mail them and ask others to do as well.

View contact information below.

Talking points:
  • It is too risky to open our Constitution. There is too much political division, radical special interest groups.
  • “Limit power of the Federal Government, Fiscal restraint” — All the goals the Constitutional Convention is trying to achieve are already listed in our Constitution.  It just needs to be obeyed.
  • Too much uncertainty as to how a Constitutional Convention would be conducted.
  • The Declaration of Independence gives the People the right to “alter or abolish” our form of government.  Delegates to a Constitutional Convention could set their own rules with a new ratification mode.
  • Who selects the delegates?  Would California get more than South Dakota?  Unknown.
  • Ideas already suggested for Constitutional Convention consideration: abolish Electoral College, Repeal of Second Amendment, weakening of First Amendment, Equal Rights Amendment, a new constitution.
Action Needed Today!
  1. Contact your two state representatives and urge them to oppose HJR5001, the Convention of States Resolution. Click here to view the list of state representatives, and then click on their e-mail addresses. Click here if you do not know who your state representatives are; or you can call your county auditor to obtain their names.
  2. In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby at (605) 773-3851 and leave a message for your two state representatives.  Be sure to provide your address so they know you are from their district.
  3. Share this information with other concerned friends and family members.

Your e-mails and phone calls are very important.

Father, we thank you for our country and the amazing founding document you directed brilliant men to create. We ask Your protection of our U.S. Constitution from those who wish to do mischief with it.  We ask that American citizens would be knowledgeable about our government and that lawmakers would obey the Constitution.  Bless our nation with righteousness and revival. May we be a nation that blesses and honors You.

God bless you for your faithfulness in prayer and action.

Linda Schauer
State Director

Jan 30 2020
0

Vulnerable Child Protection Act Passes State House

By | South Dakota | No Comments

A good bill, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act (HB1057), passed in the full House of Representatives Wednesday, January 29, with a vote of 46-23. Click here to read the bill.  Check the votes here. We wanted a YES vote.

If your two representatives voted Yes, please contact them to express your appreciation. (House lobby, 605 773-3851)

HB1057 now moves to the state senate. Contact your one state senator and urge him/her to support HB1057.

Please take action. See the contact information below.

HB1057 protects minors who struggle with gender identity from receiving certain dangerous and life-altering drugs and irreversible surgeries that remove healthy organs.  Children struggling with their identity should be protected from unethical sex reassignment interventions that reject their long-term health and well-being.  Here are a few things you should know:

  • Sadly, there are some clinics in South Dakota that are performing these procedures.
  • No long-term scientific research exists to support the safety or efficacy of sex reassignment treatments on children – in fact, there is evidence to the contrary.
  • Studies prove the fluid nature of gender dysphoria: 80% no longer wish to change their sex after puberty. Some studies find the rate as high as 90%.
  • Parents are being misinformed by an activist medical community.
  • There is no scientific evidence substantiating the suicide claim for dysphoria.
  • It is impossible for children and youth to understand, let alone give informed consent about the permanence of treatments and danger to their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Read CWA’s complete talking points with documentation here.

Action Needed!

  1. Contact your state senator and urge him/her to support HB1057, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act.  Click here to view the list of state senators, and then click on his/her e-mail address. Click here if you do not know who your state senator is, or you can call your county auditor to obtain your senator’s name.
  2. In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby at (605) 773-3821 and leave a message for your senator.  They will not be in session on January 31 or February 3.
  3. Share this information with two other concerned friends and family members. Your e-mails and phone calls are very important.

Please pray: Father, we thank you that in Your grand design You created us male and female. We ask that those who struggle with their God-given sex would be happy and healthy in the sex that You created them to be.  Thank you for the favorable consideration of HB1057 in the House.

God bless you for your prayer and action.
Linda Schauer
State Director

Jan 22 2020
0
Child with doctor

Update! More Calls Needed: Vulnerable Child Protection Act – CWA of South Dakota

By | South Dakota | No Comments

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  –Genesis 1: 27

You are making a difference – keep the calls coming!

A good bill, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act (HB1057), passed in the House State Affairs Committee this morning with a vote of 8-5. Click here to read the bill.  Check the votes here. We wanted a YES vote.

HB1057 will be heard and voted on in the full House of Representatives on Monday, January 27. Please contact your two state representatives and urge them to “Vote Yes on HB1057, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act.”

(Please take action today. See the contact information below.)

HB1057 protects minors who struggle with gender identity from receiving certain dangerous and life-altering drugs and irreversible surgeries that remove healthy organs.  Children struggling with their identity should be protected from unethical sex reassignment interventions that reject their long-term health and well-being.  Here are a few things you should know:

  • Sadly, there are some clinics in South Dakota that are performing these procedures.
  • No long-term scientific research exists to support the safety or efficacy of sex reassignment treatments on children – in fact, there is evidence to the contrary.
  • Studies prove the fluid nature of gender dysphoria: 80% no longer wish to change their sex after puberty. Some studies find the rate as high as 90%.
  • Parents are being misinformed by an activist medical community.
  • There is no scientific evidence substantiating the suicide claim for dysphoria.
  • It is impossible for children and youth to understand, let alone give informed consent about the permanence of treatments and danger to their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Read CWA’s complete talking points with documentation here.

Action Needed!

  • Contact your two state representatives and urge them to support HB1057, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act.   Click here to view the list of state representatives, and then click on their e-mail addresses. Click here if you do not know who your state representatives are, or you can call your county auditor to obtain their names.
  • In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby at (605) 773-3851 and leave a message for your two state representatives.  (In observance of Martin L. King Day, they will not be in session on Monday, January 20.)
  • Share this information on two other concerned friends and family members. Your e-mails and phone calls are very important.

Please pray: Father, we thank you that in Your grand design You created us male and female. We ask that those who struggle with their God-given sex would be happy and healthy in the sex that You created them to be.

God bless you for your prayer and action.

Linda Schauer
State Director

Jan 22 2020
0

The U.S. Constitution is Not the Problem!

By | South Dakota | No Comments

“Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention … I should tremble for the result of a second.” “the most violent partisans,” and “individuals of insidious views” would strive to be delegates and would have “a dangerous opportunity of sapping the very foundations of the fabric” of our Country.  – James Madison’s letter to G.L. Turberville, 1788

HJR1005 is a bad bill that would put our U.S. Constitution in jeopardy by opening it up for amendments (changes) such as repeal of the Second Amendment or abolishing the Electoral College.  It could even re-energize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) of the 1970s that would solidify tax-payer funded abortion in the Constitution. (CWA of Virginia and Georgia are currently dealing with the ERA and working to defeat it.)

Please read our new brochure “The U.S. Constitution is Not the Problem!” to understand this topic.

HJR1005 was defeated in House State Affairs committee, Wednesday, February 6.  Click here to view the votes.  (We wanted a No vote.) However, even after the defeat in committee, the sponsor “smoked” it out of committee for a full debate, and a vote on the House floor is scheduled for Monday, February 11.

We must defeat HJR1005!  Don’t delay, let your two representatives know where you stand, and then please forward this e-alert to others to do the same.

Please take action TODAY and through the weekend!

Contact your two representatives and ask them to oppose HJR1005.  Consider using some of the talking points listed below.

Contact Information:

When e-mailing, provide your name and address. Put a brief message in subject line: OPPOSE HJR1005.

When communicating with your legislators always be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of South Dakota.

Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on their e-mail address.

Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.

In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby today or Monday morning at (605) 773-3851 and leave a message for your two House representatives.

Please join us in prayer.  Pray for clarity and wisdom for our House of Representatives.

Talking Points:

  • It is too risky to open our Constitution. Too much national division, radical interest groups.
  • Limit power of the Federal Government, Fiscal restraint — All the goals the Constitutional Convention is trying to achieve are already listed in our Constitution. It just needs to be obeyed.
  • Too much uncertainty as to how a Constitutional Convention would be conducted.
  • Delegates to a Constitutional Convention could set their own rules with a new ratification mode.
  • Who selects the delegates? Would California get more than South Dakota?  Unknown.
  • Ideas already suggested for Constitutional Convention consideration: abolish Electoral College, Repeal of Second Amendment, weakening of First Amendment, Equal Rights Amendment, a new constitution.

Your e-mails and phone messages are very important. Again, please share this information with your friends.

Blessings,

Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota
(605) 380-6914
[email protected]
sd.cwfa.org

Dec 11 2019
0
child and mother

Don’t Miss Out! Help Keep Kids First!

By | South Dakota | No Comments

Dear South Dakota Friends,

We are pleased that one of Gov. Noem’s priorities this year is to encourage more families to provide a loving home to children as foster parents. There is an urgent need for foster families and the Governor is allocating funds for training and other helpful resources for prospective foster parents.

Once again you have the opportunity to make a difference by submitting comments in support of President Trump’s pro-religious freedom Keep Kids First rule. Have you submitted yours yet? Don’t delay; the deadline of Thursday, December 19 to comment is quickly approaching! It only takes a minute to submit your comment.  Make your voice heard today!

Hundreds of CWALAC members, like you, have submitted comments.

The Keep Kids First rule assures that the government does not discriminate against faith-based adoption and foster care providers who are providing services to families and children in line with their deeply-held religious beliefs regarding gender, sexuality and the sanctity of marriage as between one man and one woman.

The Keep Kids First rule changes an Obama-era rule that jeopardized the status of faith-based adoption and foster care providers who desired to work with adoptive and foster families who shared their beliefs. President Obama added categories to HHS nondiscrimination laws that require grant recipients to accept unorthodox, ideological views on gender, sexuality, and marriage. The result has become government discrimination against faith-based providers used as a weapon for lawsuits and disqualifying them from serving families and children.

With the Keep Kids First rule, President Trump seeks to restore religious freedom and enable all child welfare providers to be included on the playing field; this is especially important as the need for loving families is on the rise as the Governor stated.

We know the left will do everything possible to stop the good work of the Trump Administration, especially regarding religious freedom and pushing back against gender ideology, which is why your positive comment in support of the Keep Kids First rule is so crucial!

If you have already submitted your comment, thank you! Would you consider forwarding this email to your friends, small group, or family members who also stand in support of religious freedom to help get the word out before the comment deadline? You can also share our social media posts on Twitter and Facebook to help get the word out.

Thank you for your support of religious freedom,

Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota

Dec 04 2019
0
Prayer

Are You an Encourager? Encouragers are Needed!

By | South Dakota | No Comments

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone –
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  I Timothy 2:1

Dear CWA of South Dakota Friends,

More “encouragers” are needed for our Encourage-A-Legislator Campaign for the 2020 South Dakota legislative session. It is our goal for 2020 that not one legislator be left without both prayer and encouragement. Will you help us meet that goal?

Our legislators will be making important decisions on many issues that affect our state and families. Undoubtedly, much prayer is needed to restrain the enemy’s assault on our culture.

This is our 21st year of Encourage-A-Legislator! We appreciate the faithfulness of those among you who have been “encouragers” since our first year.

Will you commit once again to adopting a legislator and praying for him or her daily during the nine-week session beginning on January 14? If you have not participated as of yet, now is the time! Each week you will send your assigned legislator a CWA-provided postcard pre-printed with a Scripture verse or inspirational quote. Simply express appreciation for the legislator’s service, note your prayers for him or her, then add a postcard stamp and mail the card on a specified date.

Many legislators responded to your encouraging postcards last year with words of appreciation. Your benefit as an “encourager” is that you are energized and blessed to be a part of this effort.

Consider making this a family project in which each member adopts a legislator.

If you wish to participate, please reply by noting your commitment and providing your physical address. Postcards and instructions will be sent to you just prior to the opening of the 2020 South Dakota legislative session.

Help us recruit more “encouragers” by printing this informative flyer and providing it to your church family and friends. And/or forward this e-alert to those you think would be interested.

You are appreciated!

Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota

Nov 10 2019
0
SD Capitol

CWA of South Dakota Recruiting Encouragers

By | South Dakota | No Comments
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  I Timothy 2:1

 

It is time to recruit “encouragers” for our Concerned Women for America (CWA) of South Dakota Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) campaign for the 2020 South Dakota legislative session. This is our 21st year of Encourage-A-Legislator, and many of you have been dedicated encouragers with us from the very beginning. We appreciate your faithfulness.

 
We live in challenging times. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that much prayer is needed to restrain the enemy’s assault on our culture. Prayer is also needed to help encourage and sustain our state legislators. Here are a few comments we received from legislators regarding EAL:

“Better than gold!”

“It truly is a blessing to learn that our efforts are being covered in prayer!
We all need the grace, wisdom, and discernment that only the Lord can provide.”

 

Will you commit to adopting a legislator and praying for him or her daily during the three-month session beginning in January? Each week you will send your assigned legislator a CWA-provided postcard pre-printed with a Scripture verse or inspirational quote. Simply express appreciation for the legislator’s service and note your prayers for him or her. Finally, add a postcard stamp and mail the card on a specified date.
 
Your efforts will encourage and build bridges with the conservative legislators as well as those who do not typically agree with CWA of South Dakota. Your benefit as an “encourager” is that you are energized and blessed to be a part of this effort.
 
Click here if you wish to participate in our EAL campaign. Be sure to include your name and physical mailing address.  You will receive your postcards and instructions before the opening of the 2020 South Dakota legislative session early in January.
 
God bless you for your faithfulness in prayer and action.
Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota

May 02 2019
0

Gov. Noem Declares a Day of Prayer and Fasting for All Humanity

By | South Dakota | No Comments

Gov. Kristi Noem has issued an Executive Proclamation declaring Saturday, May 4, 2019, “A Day of Prayer and Fasting for All.” This Proclamation is in response to the recently passed New York law that “permits the nearly limitless abortion of a child in utero, even in the last moments before that child’s eyes see the light beyond the womb; and…other states may seek to follow this path.”

Recognizing that “All life is sacred and that every person has dignity and worth. … Life is sacred from the moment of conception, … With all humility and in fitting fear of perdition, it is thus proper to bow before the unseen Author of all life and beg mercy in atonement for our own sins and the sins of our countrymen, that the cause of our sadness might be lifted from this land and harmony among all restored; and, Now, Therefore, I, Kristi Noem, Governor of the state of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim May 4, 2019, as 

A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR ALL

in South Dakota and I respectfully request people of all creeds or none at all to observe this day with solemn mourning and pleas to heaven as best their consciences do direct.”

Concerned Women for America of South Dakota is grateful for the Governor’s request under this proclamation, as more than 60 million babies’ lives have been ended by abortion since 1973. Certainly, this is a tragic stain on our nation, and the mothers of the unborn – as well as the fathers, extended family members, and friends – have been affected by these regrettable decisions that ended these little lives. We join with the citizens of our state in prayer and fasting, humbly beseeching our Heavenly Father, the Giver of life, for His forgiveness and mercy.

Blessings,
Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota
[email protected]
sd.cwfa.org

May 02 2019
0

Letter: Born-alive babies deserve protection

By | South Dakota | No Comments

Letter -to-the-editor posted in the Aberdeen News

By State Director, Linda Schauer

Good legislation sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, prohibits further research testing on cats and provides adoption for current research subjects. The HEART bill, sponsored by presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, would criminalize dog fighting and find forever homes for survivors.

I applaud these senators for their concern for our feline and canine friends. Pets are great companions and should be well-treated. However, when those who bring bills that protect cats and dogs fail to provide humane treatment for human babies who survive an abortion, it is unconscionable and the essence of hypocrisy.

After New York erased all protections for born-alive babies, and the governor of Virginia endorsed infanticide, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Sadly, the bill failed to receive the necessary 60 votes with 44 Democrat senators opposing the protection of babies who survive abortion or attempted abortion. The Born Alive bill is experiencing the same fate in the Democrat-controlled House with Speaker Nancy Pelosi refusing to allow a vote.

Recent polling shows that 82 percent of Americans, including 77 percent of pro-choice Americans, support protection for children born alive after an attempted abortion. Clearly, most Americans believe babies born alive after an attempted abortion are now patients worthy of medical care.

The Born Alive bill would require abortionists to provide care to a child born alive and includes penalties for the practitioner. It also shields birth mothers from prosecution and grants them the right to take civil action against a health care professional who fails to provide this care. Additionally, any infant born alive after an attempted abortion must be immediately admitted to a hospital.

Born Alive is about stopping infanticide, not restricting or regulating abortion. Our humanity demands that born and unborn children deserve protection.

Linda D. Schauer
Leola
State director, Concerned Women for America of South Dakota

https://www.aberdeennews.com/news/opinion/letters/letter-born-alive-babies-deserve-protection/article_0b052af7-d2be-5982-a505-1fdaa0f11cc1.html

Mar 08 2019
0

Two Bad Gambling Bills Defeated!!

By | South Dakota | No Comments

SJR2 is a gambling bill that would have placed the issue on the 2020 ballot for all South Dakota voters to decide if we would want to legalize sports betting in the City of Deadwood.

SJR2 was defeated in the House 33-32-5.  Thanks be to God! Check the votes here. We wanted a NO vote, not to calendar for further debate and action.  (A majority vote of the House was required to place SJR2 on the calendar.  It did not receive the needed 36 votes.)

Those behind this bill have indicated that they will proceed to gather signatures on petitions to place it on the ballot in 2020. Encourage your friends not to sign such a petition!

CWA has always taken a position against the expansion of gambling. Interestingly, the Department of Revenue came forth in opposition, stating that their analysis showed that this legalization of sports gambling would cost the state more than it would bring in for revenue, due to the costs of regulation, etc. This was a message that possibly is backed by Gov. Kristi Noem, who stated during her gubernatorial campaign that she was against the expansion of gambling.

Sadly, South Dakota is second in the country with the number of gambling addicts, with Nevada being the first.

Another gambling bill was defeated in the full Senate on Monday, February 25.  

SJR5 was a gambling bill that would have placed the issue on the 2020 ballot for all South Dakota voters to decide. SJR5 would allow roulette, keno, craps, limited card games, and slot machines in the city of Yankton. The vote was 13 to 22. Praise God! Check the votes here. We wanted a No vote.

Sanctity of Life

There are several good pro-life bills that easily passed in the Legislature. We will have a full report on these life bills in our spring newsletter.

A special thanks to all of you who both prayed and acted on these bills, and others, as we have moved through the legislative session. Your efforts reaped a harvest.

Linda Schauer

State Director
CWA of South Dakota
[email protected]
sd.cwfa.org

Feb 25 2019
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CWA of South Dakota Legislative Update

By | South Dakota | No Comments

Hate Crimes Bill Defeated!

We praise God that this egregious hate crimes bill was defeated in the House Judiciary Committee, Friday, February 22.  Check the votes here.  We wanted a Yes vote, to send it to the 41st legislative day.  Thank you for your prayers and action.

HB1243 – “An act to revise provisions regarding hate crimes”

CWA of South Dakota opposed this very dangerous bill, for the following reasons:

  • HB1243 would add “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to our statutes regarding “hate crimes.” We don’t want those terms in our state code.
  • Adding the undefined terms of “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to our list of protected classes would grant special rights and privileges based strictly upon a person’s sexual behavior.
  • Currently, discrimination against certain classes of people is limited to the immutable classes of race, religion, national origin, and sex.
  • All South Dakota citizens are already protected equally under the law.
  • This law opens the door to policies that discriminate against people with traditional views.

Additionally, HB1243 would:

  • Create more severe punishment for crimes against those who claim “sexual identity” or “sexual orientation.”
  • Criminalize “thought-induced” crimes.
  • Transform morality into a form of bigotry.

Bad Gambling Bill -Vote will be TODAY

The following bill will be voted on in the full Senate today, February 25, sometime after 2:00 p.m. If you have not contacted your senator to VOTE NO, please do so and ask others to call/e-mail as well. We are opposed to further expansion of gambling in South Dakota.

SJR5 is a gambling bill that would place the issue on the 2020 ballot for all South Dakota voters to decide. SJR5 would allow roulette, keno, craps, limited card games, and slot machines in the city of Yankton.

CWA is opposed to the expansion of gambling due to the negative and addictive effects it has on individual lives and families.

After failing in committee, SJR5 was reported out of committee “without recommendation.” Then a motion in the full Senate to calendar SJR5 – for a full debate and vote next week – passed by a vote of 20 to 11.  Hopefully, the full Senate will vote NO on SJR5.

Please take action:
Contact your senator and ask him to OPPOSE SJR5. Click here to view the list of senators and then simply click on their e-mail addresses. Click here if you do not know who your senator is. In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby and leave a message for your Senator. (605) 773-3821

Effort to Rein in Gambling – Failed

This good bill failed in committee.  Check the votes here.  We wanted a NO vote, not to send it to the 41st legislative day.

HB1253 – “An Act to provide funding for advertising that addresses the negative aspects of gambling.”HB1253 would have provided funds from the state’s share of video lottery to educate the public on the dangers of gambling and its addictive tendencies.  South Dakota is second in the country with the number of gambling addicts, with Nevada being the first. We supported HB1253!

Fair Competition in High School Sports

HB1225, to “establish a determinant in identifying a student’s sexual identity for the purpose of participation in high school athletics.”  This good bill passed out of committee “without recommendation.”  We wanted a Yes Vote to pass it to the full House.

HB1225 will require support of one-third of the House members to put it on the calendar for debate and a vote in the full House.

Please contact your two House Representatives and ask them to SUPPORT HB1225.

CWA of South Dakota Supports HB 1225 for the following reasons:

  • HB1225 will ensure that eligibility to play on sex-segregated teams be based on the sex of the student as indicated on the student’s birth certificate.
  • HB1225 will promote fair competition for boys and girls.
  • Boys competing as girls is “cheating” due to boys’ advantage in strength and size.
  • High-achieving girls may lose out on college sports’ scholarships to biological boys who compete as girls

ACTION: Contact your two representatives and ask them to SUPPORT HB1225.
Click here to view the list of legislators and then simply click on their e-mail addresses. Click here if you do not know who your legislators are. In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby and leave a message for your two House representatives. (605) 773-3851

Please diligently keep all these important issues in your prayers. Thank you.

Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota
(605) 380-6914
[email protected]
sd.cwfa.org

Feb 11 2019
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Staying Informed, Active and Prayerful – State Legislative Update

By | South Dakota | No Comments

Gambling – MOST URGENT

SJR2 ” Proposing and submitting to the voters an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, providing for wagering on sporting events.” If passed in the Legislature, SJR2 would be on the ballot in 2020 for the people to decide if we want to legalize sports betting in the City of Deadwood. SJR2 passed in the Senate State Affairs Committee 5-4 and will be heard in the full Senate this afternoon, Monday, February 11. We want a NO vote. CWA has always taken a position against the expansion of gambling.

Interestingly, the Department of Revenue came forth in opposition, stating that their analysis showed that this legalization of sports gambling would actually cost the state more than it would bring in for revenue, due to the costs of regulation, etc. This was a message that possibly is backed by Governor Noem, who stated during her gubernatorial campaign that she was against expansion of gambling. 

TAKE ACTION NOW: Contact your state senator and ask him/her to OPPOSE SJR2 .
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on your Senator’s e-mail address.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby and leave a message for your Senator: (605) 773-3821. 

More Gambling

HB 1252 , to increase the state’s percentage of video lottery revenues and create a “video lottery repeal and recovery fund.”

This bill will be heard in House Taxation Committee Tuesday morning. We support HB 1252. The goal of HB 1252 is to gradually decrease South Dakota’s dependence on video lottery proceeds that are used to fund state government. We know it is never good to fund government with “sin taxes,” because gambling problems can cause family breakdown. 

ACTION: Contact members of the Committee and also your two representatives and ask them to support HB1252.
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on their e-mail addresses.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby and leave a message for your two House Representatives. (605) 773-3851.

SJR5 is a third gambling bill that would place the issue on the 2020 ballot for all South Dakota voters to decide. SJR5 would allow roulette, keno, craps, limited card games, and slot machines in the city of Yankton.

SJR5 could be heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee this week. Again, CWA is opposed to the expansion of gambling due to the negative and addictive effects it has on individual lives and families. 

ACTION: Contact members of the Senate State Affairs Committee and ask them to OPPOSE SJR5. In addition, contact your Senator and ask him to OPPOSE SJR5.
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on your Senator’s e-mail address.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby and leave a message for your Senator. (605) 773-3821.

Protect Life

HB1193 , “to provide a criminal penalty for causing an abortion against a pregnant mother’s will.” This is a good pro-life bill providing a Class B felony penalty for “causing the pregnant mother to undergo an abortion against her will that results in the death of the unborn human being.”

HB1193 will be heard in the House Health & Human Services Committee Wednesday, February 13.

ACTION: Contact members of the Committee and also your two representatives and ask them to support HB1193.
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on their e-mail addresses.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.

In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby and leave a message for your two House Representatives. (605) 773-3851.

Linda Schauer
State DirectorCWA of South Dakota
[email protected]
sd.cwfa.org