Monty wrote an article about ‘conflicts of interest’ in the state legislature and how lawmakers ‘don’t see any problems’. LOL. Here are some great comedic snippets;
Sen. Mark Johnston, R-Sioux Falls, who works for Sanford Health, has been involved in many health care-related debates. He was active on the issue of whether South Dakota should expand Medicaid — something Sanford and the other big health systems in the state support — and opposing a health insurance reform the big hospitals opposed.
His experience in the health care industry is a strength, not a problem, Johnston said.
“There’s two sides to every issue,†he said. “Based on my experience, my knowledge, my skills, and the input from the folks that I represent, that’s how I (approach) the particular issue.â€
Johnston’s employer, he said, is “irrelevant,†except that it gives him more knowledge to bring to debates.
“I look at it in … what’s best for the citizens, what’s best for the folks that elect me into office,†he said.
And if your side doesn’t hurt after that load of crap, listen to this one;
Rep. Tim Rounds said he took a back seat when the Legislature debated a bill to create a new class of artisan distillery licenses — on the request of two of Rounds’ brothers, Jamison and Tom.
“I voted, but I did not get involved with the bill itself,†he said. “I did not testify. I didn’t speak on it.â€
. . . but you voted for it. That would pretty much mean you were ‘involved’.
Oh, and how do you like these apples;
South Dakota does not have an independent standing ethics board, though there are provisions to create ad hoc panels to consider alleged ethical violations. It’s up to each legislator to decide for themselves whether they face a conflict of interest, and if so what to do about it.
Meanwhile, many other lawmakers from both parties say the system work fine as it is.
Because, you know, how else will the SD GOP stay in power for another 35 years?
This last part is actually non-comediclicious;
“The counter-argument was that states with few of the structures to prevent or sniff out corruption might be less likely to find any corruption,†he said.
Whatever the size of a state, Witkin said preventing conflicts of interest is important.
“Avoiding conflicts of interest and avoiding voting in self-interest is a core value of accountability and transparency,†he said.
Duh. When you don’t have an agency that looks for it, it is easy to say it doesn’t exist. It’s kinda like falling off a ladder and breaking your leg and  saying, “My leg isn’t broke, because I didn’t go to the doctor and get it x-rayed.” After watching the Gant/Powers thingy unfold last year, I am even more supportive of having conflict of interest laws put into place, not just for legislators but for state employees.
“I don’t have a conflict, I just happen to be better informed than the rest of you.”
Johnston’s position is downright offensive. He is essentially an Sanford lobbyist that can vote when he doesn’t recuse himself on medical issues. I can’t believe he could even say that with a straight face. I don’t care if he feels he doesn’t have a conflict. When there is a perceived conflict – you have a conflict.
If there’s anything that 6,000 years of recorded human history can tell us, it’s that the wealthy, powerful ruling classes don’t need any pesky outsiders to help them regulate themselves, thank you very much.
Sanford needs to purchase the Mn legislature like they did the Sd legislature of they want a Twin Cities hospital.
Watching the South Dakota legislature is like watching small town government on steroids. Everyone’s got a hand in the cookie jar, half the people are related, and it’s all been so endemic for so long that ordinary people here have come to think it’s just par for the course.
It’s like Stockholm syndrome with state government as the captor. Just keep voting for your Republican masters and everything will be fine…
Annooner – Would agree with you on Mark’s comments. Not sure if you remember when Stehly and I had our tax petition drive (we failed) Mark essentially had Vernon Brown write a letter to the editor for him and put his signature on it. He was an arrogant jerk then and still is.
It really is disappointing how these people believe they can do whatever they want. Neither this or the ALEC conference controversy pass the smell test, and I’d say the same if it was the other party. You don’t use tax money to pay for partisan conferences, and you don’t use your votes to enrich yourself, your families, or your bosses. It’s incomprehensible that these fucktards just smile it away like it’s no big deal.
I heard a rumor that Mark Johnston is resigning. Another opportunity for the R’s to create a new “incumbent” without anyone having to actually win an election.
Scott, and all the while the public just goes ‘oh well’.