Pierre gets federal subsidies to support air service to Denver. Come June 1, that friendly federal socialism will let our state capital add flights to Minneapolis:
On Friday, April 14, the City of Pierre was informed by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (USDOT) that Denver Air Connection (DAC) has been approved to provide two-hub service between Pierre and Denver and Pierre and Minneapolis.
“We’re very excited about the USDOT’s decision,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “For the 15 years that I’ve been on the City Commission, the public has been asking for air service to Minneapolis. We’re happy we can now deliver the option.”
DAC flights operate under an Essential Air Service (EAS) contract held between the USDOT and DAC. Although the new two-year contract begins June 1 this year, Mayor Harding says that he doesn’t anticipate any flight schedule change in the next two months.
…USDOT EAS contracts subsidize air carriers to ensure rural communities, like Pierre, have access to commercial air service. The USDOT leads the contracting process by calling for proposals from airlines interested in the contracts and ultimately selecting the winning proposal.
In 2022, the Pierre Regional Airport had more than 16,000 commercial enplanements [City of Pierre, press release, 2023.04.14].
It’s funny that the good people of Pierre, where registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats by more than 3 to 1, should be so eager to fly to not just one but two big liberal cities, and so eager to use socialist handouts to get there.
Food Stamps and Medicaid are BAD. EAS is needed to keep our rural areas vital.
That is the typical response from the Republicans. Keep the needy, needy, and keep more money in the pockets of the Republican political donors.
“It’s funny that the good people of Pierre, where registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats by more than 3 to 1, should be so eager to fly to not just one but two big liberal cities, and so eager to use socialist handouts to get there”
It’s not socialism if it benefits them, only when it benefits us.
Yes, socialized agriculture, socialized dairies, socialized cheese, socialized livestock production, a socialized timber industry, socialized air service, socialized freight rail, a socialized nursing home industry, a socialized internet, socialized gas well remediation and now a socialized water system are all fine with Republicans in South Dakota but then they insist single-payer medical insurance is socialized medicine.
So, if one needs to quick fly from SF or Rapid to Pierre, one needs first to go to Mpls, or Den? Just drive – better yet Skype, and send PDFs via What’sApp or E-mail.
VISIT COLORADO … you know, for the scenery #snicker snicker :)
EAS Communities in USA
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-01/Current%20list%20of%20EAS-Eligible%20communities%20excl%20AK%20%20HI_Dec2021_0.pdf
I am amazed, I tell you, AMAZED that “free market” Republicans would take these federal dollars. Shouldn’t the market decide? Of course, I Ronda Santis can manage Disney, I guess… ;-)
It is amazing how Rhonda Santis, Noem, and the republicants became the party against business freedom, but rather are comfortable telling businesses how to operate, where, and when to operate.
“consider some of the other things Republicans have been doing lately:
Making it illegal for women to get abortions in Republican-run states, including trying to ban minors from traveling to another state to get an abortion
Trying to stop women in every state from accessing medication abortions
Outlawing medical care for transgender youth that their parents want for them
Outlawing medical care for transgender adults
Banning drag performances
Banning websites Republican legislators don’t like
Banning books from schools and public libraries
Forbidding discussions of systemic racism in schools and universities
Banning diversity efforts in higher education
Attempting to make it illegal for fund managers to consider environmental, social and governance goals in some investment decisions
Making it unlawful for liberal cities in conservative states to pass their own laws according to their residents’ wishes
Going after individual companies that don’t toe the conservative line”
Gift article, paywall maybe: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/19/mccarthy-republicans-big-government/
The Iowa legislature recently completed the evil work of the state’s restaurant association by rolling back child labor laws and protections.
Thanks, John. It should be unnatural to absorb those infringements and accept them. Each of those laws being written in the books should mean every red-blooded American is pissed.
The folks who live in Pierre should not be castigated for obtaining better air service to their backwater of a community. Truth be told, they are Republicans only for self preservation. The Pierre voters can be quite Liberal in their outlook, enthusiastically support their school system, public improvements, and the Arts. They have long had a municipal liquor store, the height of socialism, that does land office business during the legislative session, while many locals slip across the bridge to buy cheaper booze in Fort Pierre. People who live in Pierre, including those who work in state government, tend to scoff at the political hypocrisy which is so common up on the hill, and treat each other with respect and good humor.
Pierre is full of Rinos? Mr. Blundt that is good to know. I always liked the town, I lived in it for a year. I drove by Blunt always. Never did stop to see the Mentor Graham house however.
From the CCC Museum in Hill City website, “Tourism in South Dakota would not be what it has become without the incredible accomplishments of the CCC.”
Back in the CCC, Mr. Phil, people worked harder and sent 88% of their earnings back home to their parents. Why 88% you might wonder. Because a fellow only needs 12% for frosty beverages and dancing money. This is known.
Socialized air service in Pierre (pronounced Pee Air, the French Way) while Taliban Governor
Denounces Commie Joe Biden, who signed the Federal bill providing the subsidy?
Look dudes and ladies, we only have 40 or 42 percent of the vote anyway, so what do we do?
Air service in Pierre is probably a corporation HQed outside of South Dakota.
So use the subsidy fly on the planes, escape South Dakota, breathe the free air of Colorado or George Floyd City (aka Minneapolis), and reinvent democracy in southern Dakota? Good plan.
Taliban democracy exists in S Dakota since 1979 , 44 years now, almost 2x as long as the Afghan Taliban, because we have a gossip fueled, fact free, gun kicking, white only electorate electing white Taliban every 2 years.
We need to UP our game somehow.
Be a Governor yourself! You don’t need an election to be a a Governor. Be one!
Did You Know? SD’s new marketing slogan being seen in CO every day at 5:00 on NBC is, “So Much South Dakota. So Little Time.” 🤔