Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 15

ARGUSLEACER.COM Sunday.Jaa2.2011 VOICES 5B Ellis 1 1 For his part. Powers says he's ignoring the controversy. Why did he delete his content? Well, Powers said, he originally deleted years' worth of content in July because of overhead issues. Nobody, he said, made a big deal about it back then. He deleted the rest when he left because he thought it was "pointless to leave behind only several months of content Powers said he's focused on the task at hand, and that's updating the secretary's computer system and website.

And that could mean easier access to records for the public. As for being too partisan? "At the end of the day, they need to just sit and watch the results instead of having a knee-jerk reaction," he said. Indeed, sound advice from one of the state's most prolific bloggers. Knee-jerk reactions are usually unwise, and they're usually par for the course on political blogs. Which makes this whole episode pretty amusing.

Reach Jonathan EM at ers flew solo at South Dakota War College, deciding what content to post on the site. But as is common with blogs and media sites, he allowed readers to post anonymous comments. And while commentators often add valuable perspective or reasoned opinion, some also provide an excellent excuse to take a defensive firearms class. Bloggers have a high burnout rate, and Powers' retirement wasn't uncommon. But his abrupt departure fueled conspiracy theories because Powers deleted all of his old content before heading out the door.

His perspectives on years' worth of political events are, for the most part, gone. Detractors think Powers deleted his content because it was a liability for someone returning to the bureaucracy of state government Republican state Sen. Stan Adelstein of Rapid City thinks Powers deleted the information because some of it was defamatory. Adelstein was a frequent target of Powers. Adelstein is a wealthy businessman who has bankrolled a lot of political campaigns in South Dakota.

He's also a moderate Republican who has helped Democrats, and he opposed the two attempts to ban abortion in South Dakota. To his credit Powers ferreted out Adelstein's complex network of political action committees, mapping out where Adelstein was sending his money. But Adelstein thinks Powers was dishonest as a blogger. Now, the senator worries that Powers will have access to the sensitive business filings that are held at the secretary of state's office. Powers, he thinks, is a creature of some nefarious faction at work in South Dakota.

"I don't know who his masters are, but I think he's got one or two," Adelstein said. Many Democrats share Adelstein's concerns. It's the secretary of state's job to administer fair elections, and the brute partisanship displayed by Powers through the years does not inspire them with confidence. Continued from IB South Dakota War College was a step above, often breaking news or political gossip a testament to Powers' role as a sounding board in some Republican circles. Conservatism has a diverse intellectual origin, but the conservatism espoused by Powers generally was the standard institutional line: law and order throw the marijuana smokers in jail Never pass on an opportunity to kick around the Democrats.

And always advocate for small government Though, on this point, some observers find it amusing that Powers isn't so conservative that hell pass up an opportunity to make a living off the taxpayers. Indeed, this isn't the first time he's worked for state government Anyhow, Powers clearly was too conservative for the left, but he wasn't conservative enough for others, earning him enemies on both sides of the political spectrum. For the most part, Pow Senators For more information about these events, or to make an appointment, call Healthformation at 1605) or 1-800-U5-5788 or visit www.sanfordhealth.orgevents General Cancer Nutrition Class Wednesday, January 5, 4 p.m. Oncology Conference Room, Sanford Cancer Center (605) 328-8000 After Breast Cancer Support Group Thursday, January 6, 7 p.m. Sanford Breast Health Institute, Sanford Cancer Center (605) 328-2891 Bottles of Hope Wednesday, January 12, 4-8 p.m.

Carlson Conference Room, Sanford Cancer Center (605) 328-6050 Surgical Solutions to Obesity Saturday, January 15, 10 a.m. Schroeder Auditorium, Sanford USD Medical Center (605) 328-3840 Look Better Monday, January 17, 4 p.m. Sanford Breast Health Institute, Sanford Cancer Center (605) 328-2891 Cancer Nutrition Class Wednesday, January 19, 12 p.m. Oncology Conference Room, Sanford Cancer Center (605) 328-8000 Cancer Kickers Support Group Thursday, January 20, 4 p.m. Oncology Conference Room, Sanford Cancer Center (605) 328-8000 AWAKE Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic) Tuesday, January 25, 7 p.m.

Sanford USD Medical Center, Meeting Room A (605) 333-6302 Youth Heart Screen Sanford Children's Specialty Clinic Call 605-328-2946 for appointment The Heart Vascular Screens at Sanford Sanford Screening Center, Sanford USD Medical Center Call 33-HEART for appointment Better Living with Diabetes Support Group Wednesday, January 19, 7 p.m. Sanford USD Medical Center, Lower Level, Meeting Room A (605) 328-1505 Women's The Happiest Baby on the Block9 and Baby Care Saturday, January 8, 2-4 p.m.. Sanford USD Medical Center Childbirth Resource Center at Ann Berdahl Hall (605) 328-7140 Big BrotherBig Sister Saturday, January 8 a.m. Sanford USD Medical Center Childbirth Resource Center at Ann Berdahl Hall (605) 328-7140 Grandparenting Monday, January 10, 7 p.m. -Sanford USD Medical Center Lower Level (605) 328-7140 Breastfeeding Preparation Wednesday, January 12 and 26, 7 p.m.

Sanford USD Medical Center Childbirth Resource Center at Ann Berdahl Hall (605) 328-7140 A New Year, A New You Thursday, January 13, 7:30 p.m. Mutch Women's Center for Health Enrichment, Sanford Women's Health Plaza (605) 328-7155 Training Camp for Dads Saturday, January 15, 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Sanford USD Medical Center Childbirth Resource Center at Ann Berdahl Hall (605) 328-7140 Parent and Child Conflict Tuesday, January 18, 8:30 p.m. Mutch Women's Center for Health Enrichment, f-Sanford Women's Health Plaza (605) 328-7155 Baby and Fido way urges colleagues to be temperate in doing so.

"In South Dakota, we are one natural disaster away from having to deplete them. Also, if we're going to get rid of the structural deficit we can't keep going to that well. I would support a limited use of reserves," he says. According to Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether, the city's highest legislative priority is gaining greater freedom to raise revenue and determine how to use funds. That local control message resonates with all the Sioux Falls senators.

Schlekeway, who leads the Senate local government committee, would back provisions for cities to raise local taxes as long as voters have final approval of the proposals. Heineman and Krebs also place a high priority on such votes. "In general, local control is better than state control," Buhl says. That mirrors Johnston's philosophy, and Cutler says that in a harsh budget climate, local governments need flexibility to make use of their resources. With a high percentage of immigrants living in her district, Buhl says she will pay close attention to any illegal immigration bills that come forward this year.

However, Krebs says a productive immigration discussion in the Legislature is possible. And Schlekeway says that any legislation the state passes might encourage the federal government to more aggressively enforce its illegal immigration laws. He adds, however, that at the end of the day, the budget will trump everything, and Johnston I 1 spending but says they must conform to a higher priority. "I absolutely believe we have to try to keep things steady," she says. "I don't think a slash and burn mentality is good government That should be a very last resort" On education Buhl, Johnston and Cutler are similarly reluctant to impose deep cuts on education.

"I understand everyone has to do their part, and we've asked them the last two years to do their part. But I think we have to continue to fund education and improve it I don't see where we should be going backwards," Cutler says. "We need to fund the school formula as prescribed by law," Johnston says. "We've only got one chance at these kids." Krebs and Heineman are hoping for innovative solutions. "We've got to safeguard the functions of Medicaid and education.

But does that mean we give them the same money or more? Not necessarily," Heine-man says. "We may find better ways of doing what we're doing." "I really hope the education community comes forward and helps us with ideas. We know it is going to be tough the next couple of years," Krebs says. Schlekeway, though, focuses on the reality facing legislators. "Given the revenue situation and the structural deficit clearly K-12 education is not immune from cuts at this time.

Everything has to be on the table to start with," he says. On reserves Among the Sioux Falls senators, Krebs takes the most a damant stand against spending budget reserves in case they are needed later. "We do not know where the economy is going," she says. "I recently read that on an international level, the economy could be stagnant until 2018." Heineman and Johnston say they have not yet decided whether reserves should be spent this year. Schlekeway, Cutler and Buhl are amenable to using reserves to balance the budget, but Schleke- Continued from IB Rounds has outlined a $14 million deficit in the current state budget.

And in the 2012 fiscal year, which begins July 1, the state is facing a $74.8 million structural deficit because of declining state revenues. In the final budget of his administration, Rounds proposed a 5 percent reduction in funding to both education and Medicaid areas that make up two-thirds of the state budget and spending $37 million in reserves. Sioux Falls senators agree on the effect of Medicaid spending on the budget but have varying opinions on how to tame it Medicaid is a federal-state partnership to provide health care to low- income children, their parents, pregnant women, the elderly and those with disabilities. Using a formula based largely on per-capita income in states, the federal govern- ment picks up 50 percent to 79 percent of the health care cost In South Dakota, the federal share is 61.25 percent That's down from 66 percent as recently as i 2005 and reflects a rise in income for South "I I Dakotans. Ji'; "Our growth of personal 1 1 income is strong.

That's (i good news. We hope it con- tinues," Heineman says. i To lessen the effect on i the cost of care for the 'elderly, Schlekeway to create incentives 1 for younger people to lock 'l in long-term care. 1 Krebs says the state 'should look for efficien---cies in how Medicaid delivers health care. Heineman wants to study other states' experi-, ence in using managed care to deliver Medicaid services and subsidizing private insurance for Medicaid recipients.

Johnston, Cutler and Buhl all approach potential Medicaid cuts cautiously. "We have challenges in 'recruiting physicians, nurse practitioners and 3 physicians' assistants across multiple areas of South Dakota to begin with," Johnston says. Cutler is open to ideas to restrain Medicaid echoes that sentiment. "We've got a lot of issues and opportunities in front of us that are maybe more relevant to the citizens of District 12 than immigration," Johnston says. Other issues Other issues that legislators might face this year include acting on Dau-gaard's campaign pledge to increase funding for the Revolving Economic Development and Initiative fund from $90 million to $150 million within four years, Schlekeway says.

Cutler says she plans to introduce a bill prohibiting human trafficking. Krebs and Johnston note that roads around the state are falling into disrepair. But while Krebs predicts there will be little enthusiasm for raising vehicle fees that go toward maintaining roads, Johnston says there might be interest in gauging whether a package of fee increases will be palatable this year. He also says he is working on several bills on behalf of veterans groups. Based on what voters told her during the campaign, Buhl says legislators should focus intently on economic development and job creation.

And Heineman says the key message to lawmakers is to be fiscally conservative. The public is telling us they are not spending as much money as they were in a variety of ways. We have to be very respectful of what businesses and households have had to do the last couple of years. "I think the voters have spoken," she says. Reach Peter Harrlman at 575-3615.

details. Afrywtwrt. This ii not a valid courxm. See details online. W7A MVf Vr lm ma 1 1 Kl 4 Wednesday, January 19, 7 p.m.

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