The GOP spin machine is going to have to retool its snarky partisan attacks on Rick Weiland’s proposed anti-corruption ballot initiative. The wide-ranging South Dakota Government Accountability and Anti-Corruption Act, which includes public funding for political campaigns, a new state ethics commission, and restrictions on lobbyists, has two prominent Republicans backing it: Don Frankenfeld of Rapid City and Dave Volk of Sioux Falls:
A right-left coalition called South Dakotans for Ethics Reform is proposing a new anti- corruption initiative to be placed on the November 2016 ballot. The effort is co-chaired by former State Senator Don Frankenfeld (R-Rapid City) and former U.S. Senate candidate Rick Weiland (D-Sioux Falls).
…”This is South Dakota’s Declaration of Independence from the corrupting influence of big money in politics,” said Rapid City’s Don Frankenfeld, the Republican co-chair of South Dakotans for Ethics Reform and former state senator. “This law would turn South Dakota into a national leader on ethics reform.”
…“The Government Accountability and Anti-Corruption Act would ensure disclosure of who’s spending money on politics and elections and how it’s influencing our representatives,” said Dave Volk, a Republican and former South Dakota State Treasurer based in Sioux Falls who supports the Act. “Democracy works better when voters are well-informed” [South Dakotans for Ethics Reform, press release, 2015.07.15].
Ah, ballot measures, bringing people together across party lines. Isn’t direct democracy wonderful?
US Atty Brenden Johnson explained away his in-action necessitating these changes Rick wisely proposes.
At a press forum in Rapid City last week, I understand he made some press-worthy comments on the EB5 issue and why he and his office and the FBI were unable to gain any prosecutorial traction, after Rounds election campaign and complicit Republicans were able to cover-up some $600,000,000 fraud where Joop Bollen, his lawyer, and many lawyers employed by the state, the Regents, NSU, and governmental oversight committees, auditors, and law enforcement seemed to refuse to look under the carpet for dirt swept thereunder!
This is a great idea. Can they get more Republicans on board? Hickey, Adelstein, others? The broader the support the better.
One political party promotes popular participation.
I’m waiting for the right to call Volk and Frankenfeld RINOs
This is a positive step. I hope more from both sides and some independents join. It has been too long in coming!