To the Editor:
A couple of years ago, Initiated Measure 22 (IM 22) was voted on and approved by South Dakotans. This ethics in government measure would have tightened campaign finance laws, created a strong, independent ethics commission and prevented the Legislature from altering or rejecting laws approved by voters without returning to the ballot. The legislature and Gov. Daugaard felt we, as citizens, had been hoodwinked and began a systematic dismantling and weakening of IM 22.
These actions by our elected officials compounded citizen concern about the level of corruption already evident within state government. The Gear Up and EB-5 scandals were the result of inadequate state oversight and resulted in several deaths. If the programs had been properly managed and accountability maintained, these tragedies may have been avoided, moneys would be accounted for and our state reputation would not be tarnished. (South Dakota received an F grade in the 2015 State Integrity Investigation conducted by the Center for Public Integrity.)
It is time to disrupt the current legislative and administration status quo and elect a candidate who has demonstrated integrity, has legislative experience and business acumen and is looking to breath fresh air into our state government. I believe Billie Sutton is that person.
In addition to his professional experience as an investment advisor in an independent bank and as a four term legislator, Billie has served on the appropriations committee for six years and has a working knowledge of the state's budget. He is committed to restoring integrity to South Dakota government.
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For this reason, I am voting for Billie Sutton.
Gail Johnson
Tyndall
