They're back: ethics measure backers file constitutional amendment
After lawmakers struck their voter-approved ballot measure, supporters of a campaign finance and ethics proposal said Thursday that they'll take another run at the ballot in 2018.
This time they'll make the proposal legislator-proof by bringing it as a constitutional amendment, said Represent South Dakota Spokesman Doug Kronaizl.
Kronaizl said the group went on a listening tour earlier this year to figure out which pieces of Initiated Measure 22 voters wanted and which were unnecessary. He said the group then put together the constitutional amendment that would prohibit lawmakers from repealing voter-approved measures, ban lobbyist gifts to politicians, ban foreign money in South Dakota elections as well as union or corporate funds to candidates, lower campaign finance limits and create a citizen ethics commission.
South Dakota legislators struck the law that was approved by voters, saying it was unconstitutional and that voters were "hoodwinked" into supporting it. They then passed bills that dealt with pieces of the proposal, but IM-22 supporters said they didn't do enough to reinstate the will of the voters.
Read more: http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/politics/2017/04/06/theyre-back-ethics-measure-backers-file-constitutional-amendment/100117900/
