South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

State Funding

Marty Jackley Open Government Open Meetings South Dakotans State Funding State Legislature

South Dakota closed government, ripe with corruption

l3wis 1Comments

Our AG recently said that state government needs to be more transparent in the wake of all the rats stealing from the citizen coffers. If you think this is just a handful of bad actors, I can guarantee there are probably hundreds of state employees stealing from us. Why? Because, first off, it is RICH coming from a guy who helped cover up a DCI sexual harassment case, EB-5 and Gear-up. This is the guy promoting open government? LMFAO!

With one-party rule basically controlling most of the offices in South Dakota who is going to investigate wrong doings or lack of open government? Good question.

I keep telling people that OPEN government saves taxpayers money because it roots out unethical, fraudulent and corrupt actors. Open government is also more efficient because you don’t have to play the hiding secrets game so things get done much more quickly.

I don’t have much confidence in our AG telling us he is working towards a more open government, coming from a guy who has a Cummins Diesel engine attached to his paper shredder.

Audit Democrats Republicans State Funding State Legislature Uncategorized

These are the kind of morons running our state

l3wis 3Comments

Want to know why South Dakota is dead last in almost every economic category, because we have morons like this running our state government.

While I understand State Auditor Rich Saddass is a proud Repug, why would you share this stupid meme that has been around for years! I also like how the quote perfectly describes Donny T., you know the convicted felon, rapist, adulterer, and racist running for president.

Instead of sharing awful memes that have been around for years, maybe you need to do your job and turn over Noem’s nail and hair salon receipts. The story in Pierre is that the AG told Saddass turn them over because he had no legal authority to hide them from the public. While I am not sure if that convo took place, we know Mr. Jackboots isn’t a big fan of Noem ever since she handed him his ass in the primaries after he tried to cover up sexual harassment at the DCI.

While some may think there is a tropical island that is actually floating garbage, the real GARBAGE PIT is in Pierre.

When I worked at the Pavilion, the comedian Carrot Top came and when he was setting up his props on stage before the show he asked if I could help him with a punchline. He asked me, “What is the most white trash city in South Dakota?” I laughed and said, “That list is very long sir.” He says, “C’mon, there has to be a town that is the most white trash.” I giggled and said, “Fort Pierre.” He used the punchline and it got gobs of laughs.

Elections State Funding State Legislature

Is the South Dakota State Legislature looking at limiting Municipal Referendums?

l3wis 2Comments

It has been brought to my attention that a small southeastern town city administrator is pushing to get a bill submitted (hasn’t been yet) taking municipal referendum and initiative signature requirements to 20 percent of registered voters from 5 percent. This will eliminate yet another safety net to keep city councils in line. That would change the required signatures in Sioux Falls to jump from around 6k to over 24K. Ironically it would take more signatures in Sioux Falls to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot then the amount of people who typically vote in a municipal election.

I often remind people that 1) we need to make the referendum process easier not harder and 2) and signing a petition doesn’t mean you approve of the initiative just your right to vote on it. For example, I signed the slaughterhouse petition even though I already knew I would vote against it. Direct Democracy is a beautiful thing and any opportunity we have to use it and promote it is good for the public.

Separation of Church and State Snowgates State Funding State Legislature Sue Peterson

Jesus Snowplows invade the South Dakota State Capital, sorta

l3wis 7Comments

When I started reading this article, it reminded me of the Jesus Snowplows in Sioux Falls (there are 2 this year).

That’s because several chairs in the committee room where the votes took place were adorned with holy crosses ahead of the meeting.

And now, the well-intended gesture by Sioux Falls Rep. Sue Peterson and others is drawing the attention of the South Dakota Legislature’s Executive Board, which will consider if action is necessary should the oil substance used to make the markings be unable to be removed.

When are these politicians going to figure out they can’t use taxpayer funded property as if it were their church? But there are other issues besides separation of church and state;

“We were simply praying and blessing the room in which leadership elections were going to be held,” she added (Sue Peterson). “It appears that someone is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill and shame me for my Christian faith.”

Even if you ignore Sue’s little Jesus moment, she also may have damaged taxpayer property, and she could be charged with a crime.

There is nothing wrong with a legislator having faith in a religion, there is also nothing wrong with them praying before a meeting, I actually support an invocation (invented by Ben Franklin, a deist). I wouldn’t even of cared if she passed out New Testaments at the meeting, BUT, you cannot defile or decorate taxpayer owned property with religious symbolism (or any symbolism) BECAUSE WE OWN IT!

I think a fitting punishment would be making Sue lick the crosses off the chairs. Maybe she could bring her son Robert who has been actively licking his wounds after the slaughterhouse ordinance failed.

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