South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

State Legislature

IM 22 South Dakotans State Legislature

Stu Whitney nails it on the outrage over IM22

l3wis 0Comments

headupass

The pure unbridled arrogance of our ONE-party morons in Pierre is disgusting, and further proof that the one-party rule system is NOT working for our state, in fact it is putting us DEAD last for ethics and corruption;

Never mind that South Dakota was the only state in the union without such restrictions and one of only eight without an ethics commission, leading the Pulitzer Prize-winning Center for Public Integrity to give the Mount Rushmore State a national rank of 47th in deterring government corruption.

The SD GOP seems to take pride in being last. Whether that is pay for teachers, or quite frankly many professions, like nursing, or for rating as the most corrupt, or the defiance of green energy, they are more worried about protecting their free meals and benefits to their businesses then doing the work of the people, because it seems the people are an annoyance to them;

Even more intriguing is the reaction of the state’s Republican establishment to this development.

When citizens express concern about government transparency and the response is to question their intelligence for passing a law that addresses it, what does that make the people in charge of running our state?

Misinformed, to put it mildly.

Well, when your head is up your ass 99% of the time, it’s hard to be informed about most things.

Listen to Weiland talk about the measure on public radio today.

State Funding State Legislature

The Mysterious Disappearance of Dilges

l3wis 13Comments

jason-dilges-blue-bg-png2

So a top official with state government leaves after 14 years of service and no reason is given. Hopefully he doesn’t go pheasant hunting by himself and a 5 foot branch;

An aide to Daugaard said last week that Dilges was placed on indefinite administrative leave pending a final decision on his status. Chief of Staff Tony Venhuizen said the matter didn’t involve criminal allegations or the handling of state funds, but declined to offer additional details.

So what other reasons would there be? If it is health reasons, why not just tell us it is ‘personal matters’. If he didn’t do anything ‘criminal’ why can’t we be told?

The rumors in Pierre is that he dropped the ball big time in preparing this year’s budget (not embezzlement or fraud) but incompetence. Not sure if that is true, because just like EB-5 and Gear Up, the Republicans are tight lipped about mishandling our money.

Media Reynold Nesiba Sioux Falls State Legislature

Did Stormland TV over step their bounds?

l3wis 5Comments

Like the mysterious truck driving past the grassy knoll in Platte, Stormland TV had to get the scoop. But were they out of line? And who tipped them off?

B-N-B (Bad Neighbor Belfrage) and ‘Too Late’ Todd are on it;

I joined Greg at the end of the program where we discussed what we know, which is far outstripped by what we don’t know. Like:

  • Who tipped off KELOLand TV? It had to be someone in the courts or law enforcement.
  • Who has an interest in tipping off KELOLand TV to embarrass Nesiba
  • And why did KELOLand TV act in such a reckless manner, potentially endangering Nesiba, the public, law enforcement and the TV station’s own crew?

Greg is calling for an investigation. I agree.

And one last point: Suspicion of the media isn’t just an East Coast or West Coast thing. It’s happening right across the street.

Stormland TV has pulled this crap in the past, to make it look like they are getting the big story, sometimes as it turns out, nothing, or next to nothing is really happening. This is why I try to stay away from criminal cases, unless government officials are involved in corruption or fraud. Remember the Gant/Powers debacle where the media wouldn’t touch the story for months, even after the chiding of a state senator. A he said, she said case between adults is a private matter for the courts. Jorgi and Stormland TV really need to concentrate on real stories from now on.

Elections State Legislature

Hey Republicans, let’s talk ‘Transparency’

l3wis 15Comments

I have often scratched my head when Republican lawmakers in this state say they are against Amendment V because of transparency. They feel voters have a right to know what party a candidate belongs to, but it seems many of them don’t want you to know what they do for a living, or more specifically the name of their business. Let’s talk transparency. I want to know what profession or previous profession (many are retired) a lawmaker is. It is important to my decision making. As an independent, I mostly lean left, but do vote for Republicans on occasion, if I feel they are the best candidate. Their life experience in their employment is very important to me.

Out of the 6 districts the Argus Leader media surveyed only ONE Democrat, John Koch listed his employment as ‘Salesman’. The rest of the Democrats either revealed who they work for, what they do, the name of their business, or that they are retired (and they even listed their employment before retirement).

On the other hand, most of the Republicans were very vague as to what they do or who they work for. One of them even went so far to call herself a career politician, Jenna Haggar listed the State Legislature as employment (A 40 day out of the year job).

This is why Amendment V is important, it will give voters the opportunity to research candidates beyond their party label.

Image/information: Argus Leader Media

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