A change of direction

Since we've been something of a rabble rouser when it comes to open government in South Dakota, we should give credit where credit is due. This is not in any priority order -- in fact, it basically starts with the late comers first.

God bless Governor Mike Rounds for seeing the light and accepting a philosophical change of direction for the state. His signing of a new open records law yesterday (3/19/09) was something of a turnaround for the governor, who has claimed previous versions were not strong enough in protecting individual rights. The new law, which takes effect July 1, importantly contains a presumption that government documents should be open to the public, unless there are good reasons for keeping them under wraps.

The new law is far from perfect, but it's lightyears ahead of what exists right now -- basically allowing bureaucrats at any government level to make decisions about what should and should not be open to the public. In other words, it generally presumed that only documents required to be kept by government would be made available -- if officials wanted to make them available.

I don't know what motivated Republican State Senator Dave Knudson to get behind and push for a new open records law. Perhaps he saw it as a good resume-builder for would-be gubernatorial candidates. Maybe he simply believed South Dakota was due for more open government. Whatever the incentive, he did his homework and navigated his SB-147 handily through the legislature. Thanks, Dave.

Democratic Senator Nancy Turbak Berry should certainly be acknowledged for giving high visibility to open government last year, when she introduced a similar open records law -- but without a lot of the politically-worded baggage necessary to get it through the legislature. Her early spadework, along with that of several others legislators, was critically important.

And, of course, a multitude of candidates last election thought it was important enough to publicly speak out and advocate a stronger open records law. Near the head of that list of folks was Nyla Griffith of Deadwood, a Democrat whose campaign last year for a seat in the State Senate fell short.

Certainly, South Dakota newspapers played a role in pushing through the new law, and they deserve recognition. However, this was NOT just a media deal. It was a citizen movement, and it was growing significantly. I suspect that had as much to do with final approval of the new law as anything. Politicians seem to sense such groundswells --- at least the good ones do.

Shame on GOP leadership

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AN OPEN LETTER TO SOUTH DAKOTA GOP LEADERS

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It’s an unfortunate truth that when we human beings get together in groups, we do silly things that we would not do individually.

Take, for example, some of the honest and well-meaning politicians who serve as leaders of the Republican party in South Dakota. Individually, they may exhibit the thoughtfulness and common sense that we South Dakotans prize in government leaders, whatever their stripe.

But in the fever pitch of campaigning, politicians sometimes go a little nuts. In the 2008 South Dakota State Senate District 31 campaign, state Republican leaders went a lot nuts.

When businesswoman Nyla Griffith of Deadwood, a Democrat, decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Jerry Apa, she launched a straightforward campaign in support of education and open government. She beat a path to thousands of doorsteps in Lawrence County, listening to voter concerns and seeking their support. She got lots of it – much more than likely anticipated by opposition GOP candidate Tom Nelson and local/state Republican leaders.

The fear of losing a seat in the Legislature so frightened these folks that they did collectively what a single one of them would probably be averse to doing. They used an 11th hour “Voter Alert” postcard to attack Griffith with information that they knew was not true, and they timed their mailing so she’d have no opportunity to respond before voters went to the polls. They accused her of supporting gun control and the legalization of marijuana – extracting bits and pieces of information that was posted on the non-partisan website Project Vote Smart. Then they cobbled together their venomous and untrue accusations and deposited them in voters mailboxes hours before the election.

Project Vote Smart wasn’t too happy with South Dakota Republican Party over this incident. In a public statement, they rebuked GOP leaders for attacking Nyla Griffith with “information they know to be false.” Read the entire Project Vote Smart Public Statement.

To my knowledge, there’s been no apology for this dastardly deed, and I won’t hold my breath waiting to see one. Hopefully, the few Republican leaders who may have had a hand in this sorry episode will step forward with a bit of contrition and pledge to clean up their act.

This was an unseemly way to try to win votes. Both Republicans and Democrats are not happy over this incident – and persons with an ounce of ethics and common sense understand why. Spearfish writer Lorraine Collins, a Republican, is among the displeased. She shared her thoughts in a Black Hills Pioneer opinion piece this week (11/12/08).

And you can add this Independent blogger to the list of the disenchanted.

Think globally -- act locally!

The United States is in the middle of an eroding economy – a financial crisis the likes of which we’ve not seen in three-quarters of a century. There’s been something of a national debate about a $700 billion federal bailout to save the economy (really to save the big banks and financial institutions – with only “trickle down” benefits to taxpayers, who will foot the bill). Actually, there’s been no real debate about this at all. Not even the presidential candidates have dared candor, assuming they have original thoughts on how to help resolve the crisis. There’s been no public hearing. Nothing. Nada. We’re expected to “trust” the guys who got us in to this mess to get us out.

Indifference, ignorance, and – make no mistake about it – backroom deals with little or no public scrutiny – have led us to this dire point.

As we wring our hands and worry about what will happen next, it’s time to clean house and start rebuilding confidence in government, and we should start locally. We’re within weeks of casting ballots for people and issues that will directly impact our daily lives.

That’s why I’m supporting Nyla Griffith of Deadwood to represent District 31 in the South Dakota State Senate. Her record as a small business owner, service on the Deadwood City Commission, and her many contributions to civic activities have convinced me that she is a smart choice to succeed Jerry Apa in the Senate. Nyla has declared an unswerving commitment to open government. For me, that’s a clincher.

Unless and until we have truly open government, we’re likely to condemn ourselves to the arrogance that many elected officials fall victim to after gaining office. Accountability is the key, and it comes only to the extent that we insist on knowing what our government is up to and what it's doing.

That’s as true in Deadwood and Spearfish as it is in Pierre and Washington, D.C.

A life-long South Dakotan, Nyla Griffith has taken to the streets, going door-to-door in the district, in an effort to garner support for her candidacy. Last I heard, she’d passed the 3,000 mark and is still meeting with would-be constituents at their front doors. That kind of populist campaigning is hard work, but it reflects a real commitment that I believe will serve this area well in the state legislature.

And her commitment to open government is like a breath of fresh air. I’m proud to give my support to Nyla, and I hope others will take a look at her background – and her priorities – and vote for Nyla Griffith on November 4th.