Editorial: Listen closely to what Gov. Daugaard doesn’t say

Talk about it

Gov. Dennis Daugaard spoke at the annual convention of the South Dakota Newspaper Association on April 9. We found him to be very consistent and thoughtful in his speech and in answers to reporters’ questions. This is what we expected when the Capital Journal endorsed him in the November election.

Now we will see whether the proof is in the pudding. Daugaard said recently that he was hopeful that he could give raises to state employees next year. That’s good news for Pierre and for other cities with a large state government presence.

What he didn’t say is that if state revenues don’t rise and the economy continues in recession that will be impossible. And, we won’t know much until July when the revenue numbers for the year are tallied. Don’t get your hopes up.

The governor also said he hoped to return this year’s funding cuts to schools in coming years. That also is impossible in today’s economic climate.

What Daugaard didn’t say is what everybody knows — that money is gone and it won’t return. If the economy does not turn around soon, there will be no money.

When asked about other revenue streams for schools, he said “that would be considered a tax.” Daugaard ran his campaign on the “no new taxes” theme and a pledge to cut spending.

Don’t get your hopes up.

On openness in government, the governor has done a good job keeping records open to the public and has pledged to do even more. ...

Daugaard said he will continue with his plan to open Valhalla, the governor’s retreat in the Black Hills, to public tours. He also will release the names of people who rent the facility.

In addition, he plans to release the names of most of the people attending to the Governor’s Golf Classic, the Governor’s Pheasant Hunt and the Buffalo Roundup.

“If government is not open, people will think the worst,” he said.

Yet, Pierre area lawmakers complained recently that the governor’s office wasn’t open enough for them during the budgeting process. They said they couldn’t get enough information.

The governor gave himself a “B” grade for his work so far in his first 90 days. But the year has just begun. Don’t be surprised if we see more budget cuts next year.

Tags: guest editorials, opinion, updates