CWA of South Dakota ENDORSES Constitutional Amendment X
The 2018 ballot titles X as “An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution increasing the number of votes needed to approve a constitutional amendment.”
The Attorney General explanation states: “The South Dakota Constitution may only be amended by a vote of the people. Currently, the Constitution provides that a proposed amendment must receive a majority [50%] of the votes cast in order to be approved. Constitutional Amendment X changes the Constitution, increasing the number of votes needed to approve an amendment from a majority to 55% of the votes cast on the amendment.”
According to the “Pro”-explanation written by State Sen. Jim Bolin (R), our state constitution is the foundational political document of South Dakota and should require more than a 50% approval for amendments. Compared to the high standard required to amend our United States Constitution, Amendment X proposes a modest adjustment (55%), raising the threshold, that will protect our South Dakota Constitution from unneeded changes which are often funded and promoted by out-of-state special interests.
CWA of South Dakota OPPOSES Constitution Amendment W
The 2018 ballot titles W as “An initiated amendment to the South Dakota Constitution changing campaign finance and lobbying laws, creating a government accountability board, and changing certain initiative and referendum provisions.”
The “Con”- explanation is written by David Owens, President of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Owens writes that Amendment W would create a new (fourth) branch of government that is not elected by the people. This seven-member tribunal would have powers that cannot be limited by the legislature, courts, or the Governor. It would answer to no one with no accountability. W would require a statewide vote to fix mistakes. It is too risky to put Amendment W in the state constitution, too confusing and too long. (8 pages/ 3,329 words) Interestingly, it is brought to South Dakota from Massachusetts.
Amendment W would take control over every other part of the South Dakota Constitution and force taxpayers to fund the tribunal to the tune of $389,000 annually.
Amendment W is Wrong for South Dakota.
Click here to read all South Dakota 2018 Ballot Question.
Linda Schauer
State Director
CWA of South Dakota
director@southdakota.cwfa.org
sd.cwfa.org