South Dakota voters approved a ballot measure that would limit the amount of money state politicians could receive from lobbyists and other donors, capping "gifts" at $100 annually; now, Republicans in the SD government are seeking to block it, with an emergency resolution, a court challenge and an appeal to the governor.
Under the new law, voters could tap a state fund to give two credits worth $50 each to participating political candidates. It limits lobbyist gifts to lawmakers to $100 annually, a major change given there were previously no caps. It also calls for an independent commission to ensure state ethics laws aren't violated and administer the public campaign finance program.Top Republican lawmakers contend those provisions are unconstitutional. They challenged the overhaul in state court, which put the initiative on hold while the case moves forward.
Senate President Pro Tempore Brock Greenfield, the bill's Senate sponsor, said the campaign for the ballot measure was based on innuendo and falsehood.
South Dakota Senate sends ethics law repeal to governor
[James Nord/AP]
(via Naked Capitalism)
