South Dakotans for Open and Clean Government announced Thursday that they are submitting more than 26,500 signatures to the Secretary of State to place an initiated measure on the November ballot.

The measure would prohibit taxpayer-funded lobbying and expand governmental transparency for state government contracts.

“We are gratified by the tremendous support this measure has received from South Dakota voters,” Jim Anderson of Sioux Falls, a member of the petitioners, said. “As we traveled the state collecting signatures and explaining this proposed ballot measure, we were struck by how many South Dakotans agreed with this common-sense proposal.”

The 26,500 signatures are almost 10,000 more than needed to place the initiative on the November ballot. Like other petition groups, South Dakotans for Open and Clean Government sought well above the required number to account for possibility that some would be rejected for technical problems.

The initiated measure would change South Dakota law in four ways:

* Taxpayer funds could not be used to lobby or campaign for partisan political agendas, including increased taxes.

* Legislators and their staff would be unable to use their legislative positions to secure a “golden-parachute,” state-contracted job.

* The “pay to play” system — where state contracts are traded for campaign donations — would be outlawed.

* A simple, searchable Web site with information about all state contracts over $500 (excluding employment contracts), would be launched so citizens can know how their money is being spent.

Tonchi Weaver, a board member from Rapid City, said, “This initiative will shine a light on the cozy relationship between elected officials, lobbyists and contractors, and restrict personal gain from public service.”

Source: Rapid City Journal