Last week in the legislature I proposed Senate Bill 144, which would have restrained the growth of government at the state level to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. This is the standard that Pierre imposes on school districts and county commissions. Unfortunately, this important reform was defeated by the GOP, with each of their members on the Appropriations Committee voting “no”.

This week more of my legislation to reform government making it more accountable and transparent will come before various committees. This legislation includes my proposal to limit the role of corporations in funding campaigns, something that desperately needs to be changed. Right now, special interests have far too much influence over how our government operates and we have to stop it. My legislation to stop the practice of “pay to play” will also be debated. This legislation says that if someone gets a job or a contract with state government, they cannot give funds to the Governor or his campaign committees. This is just a more honest way to show South Dakotans that our state jobs and contracts are not being given out to individuals or companies who write checks to the Governor. Instead, these jobs and contracts have to go to the best folks and companies at the best prices. Period. Finally, I have legislation that will combine the offices of Treasurer and School and Public Lands Commissioner. With today’s technology, the mission of these two offices could easily be combined at a great savings to South Dakota taxpayers. Unfortunately, I expect the GOP leadership will play politics and will fight these important reforms, just as they did our proposal to stop spending in Pierre.

As I said to the Republican Committee leaders last week when I presented Senate Bill 144, “if this is not the proposal to support, then tell me what you support?” They were silent and so far, I can find no meaningful reform proposed by the other side. We should rise above politics when doing the people’s work, and when I am Governor, we will. In the meantime, I will keep fighting to rein in spending at the state level!