2012 Referred measures and Constitutional questions on the ballot

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiWSsQ9Godk[/youtube]

Guest Poster and I are in agreement on the measures and questions, he has written a review of them and the recommended choice.

These referred measures are just bad policies, poorly thought and will be executed to detriment of future South Dakotans.

NO – Referred Law 14– An Act to establish the Large Project Development Fund.  A slush fund with abuse written in every word.

NO – Initiated Measure 15-An initiated measure to increase state general sales and use taxes for additional K-12 public education and Medicaid funding. Bad on so many levels I could write pages.  This needs to be addressed with thought and information.  This becomes a vehicle to replace future funding from the regular budget with special interest projects.

NO – Referred Law 16 – An act to establish a teacher scholarship program; create a program for math and science teacher bonuses; create a program for teacher merit bonuses; mandate a uniform teacher and principal evaluation system; and eliminate state requirements for teacher tenure. If passed, it would destroy any chance for a well-rounded, thinking person’s education.  It rewards teaching with limited room to reach out to children with special learning skills.  Encourages the voucher based private school programs being proposed nationwide at the expense of the society need for public education.

Three of these Constitutional Amendments appear to be designed around special interest abuses of the system for their benefit.

NO – Constitutional Amendment M-An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution regarding certain provisions relating to corporations.  This reads ALEC model legislation to abuse stockholders in business relationships.  Without a CON statement to be found or issued by SOS Gant’s office, it is a strong NO.

YES – Constitutional Amendment N-An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution repealing certain reimbursement restrictions for travel by legislators to and from a legislative session.  Travel by legislators on official business still is $.05 not actual cost, this it wrong. Constitutional Amendment N failure would allow undue personal budget strain on ‘everyday’ legislators driving to Pierre for session.  This inflation adjustment could be done through law not Constitution.

NO – Constitutional Amendment O-An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution exchanging the method for distributions from the cement plant trust fund.  I can read trust fund abuse in this amendment.  They need to tighten the measure up and try again next time. Without a CON statement to be found or issued by SOS Gant’s office, it is a strong NO.

NO – Constitutional Amendment P-An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution adding balanced budget requirements.  Our current Constitutional provisions are very strong now and giving us budget surpluses.  Voting NO retains the very workable budget locks of the 1880’s which still work.