South Dakota group offers an Alaska-like plan

In Alaska, while a group of activists worked to support an "anti-corruption" ballot measure, a similar group in South Dakota hit upon a similar idea at roughly the same time. On February 6, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader published this item among a list of news briefs:

A group trying to uncouple money from state government says it received $10,000 to help underwrite a ballot initiative to restrict political campaign spending and to enhance financial transparency in government. South Dakotans for Open and Clean Government says the donation was made by Americans for Tax Reform, one of the nation's leading taxpayer watchdogs.

The petition being circulated to get the South Dakota Open and Clean Government Act before voters would prohibit public money from being used to advance political agendas, including increased taxes. It would prevent legislators from securing "golden-parachute" jobs after their public service has ended. Recipients of no-bid contracts would be prohibited from donating to political campaigns while they hold a state contract and two years thereafter.

"Husband fired gun during fight, police say," Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - February 6, 2008

A few weeks later, the Argus Leader gave the group and their proposal a little more coverage. They were not opposed to the rights of private groups to hire private lobbyists, but they equated public agencies hiring lobbyists with "corruption."

A ballot initiative that would shake up Pierre lobbying and place limits on government contracts has been submitted to the secretary of state. Organizers say the Open and Clean Government Act will prevent corruption and expand transparency. But critics say the initiative will silence key players in the lawmaking process. If it passes, dozens of government associations that are supported by tax dollars no longer would be able to contact legislators.
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The act would affect almost anyone who receives a government contract. It says someone awarding a contract can't accept campaign money from a recipient, and it would prohibit anyone who employs a legislator or legislative staffer from receiving a government contract.

"Ballot may get crowded," Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD) - March 22, 2008

On April 2, South Dakota's secretary of state certified the group's petitions, ensuring that their measure would be placed on the ballot.