By PIERRE — A South Dakota senator has been disciplined after gifting a bottle of syrup in jest to a fellow lawmaker.
Sen. Tom Pischke, R- Dell Rapids, has been barred from the chambers of the state House of Representatives by Speaker Hugh Bartels, R-Watertown, for allegedly violating legislative code of conduct standards on Monday, March 4.
“It has come to my attention that you placed a bottle of syrup on a representative’s desk,” Bartels wrote in a letter to Pischke, citing ethics standards outlined in the Legislature’s joint rules book. “Therefore, I am removing your privilege of coming on the floor of the House of Representatives.”
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Bartels said a member in the state House “did not appreciate” the gesture, which comes after Rep. Kristin Conzet, R-Rapid City, blocked a legislative commemoration co-authored by Pischke and Rep. Phil Jensen, R-Rapid City, honoring Nancy Green, a former female slave who was one of the first black models hired to promote a corporate trademark — like the Aunt Jemima breakfast brand.
The company was rebranded in 2021 amid criticisms that continued use of “Aunt Jemima” was racially insensitive, while conservatives have chided the decision by PepsiCo to discontinue the brand as too politically correct.
Commemorations do not carry the weight of law, and opposition by a single member of the Legislature is enough to block a commemoration from being read on the floor of the House or Senate.
Pischke
Conzet did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment Monday evening.
In a text message sent to The Scout, Pischke admitted leaving a bottle of syrup — Mrs. Butterworth’s brand — on Conzet’s desk inside the state House, but said he did not anticipate the backlash. He said he’s since apologized to Conzet.
“I was expecting her to be filled with gratitude,” Pischke said. “I’m wondering if the speaker is jealous that he didn’t receive a bottle, too, and that’s his justification for this.”