Democrats Respond to Republican Legislators Overturning the Will of the Voters
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Suzanne Jones Pranger released the following statement in response to final passage in the State Senate of HB 1069 which repeals Initiated Measure 22, the Anti-Corruption Act approved by the voters in November’s election.
“South Dakota’s state motto is ‘Under God the people rule.’ With today’s vote, Republicans in Pierre showed their contempt for this belief of how government should work. Just as important, they showed their contempt for the voters of South Dakota and the initiative process. Instead of working with Democrats to correct any issues with Initiated Measure 22, Republicans decided to use dubious methods to rush a full repeal through the legislature – with no plan in place to replace even the parts they say they support.”
“This is not the first time that Republicans in Pierre have shown their lack of respect for the will of the voters. Republican legislators also tried to undermine the increase in the minimum wage put on the ballot by Democrats and passed by the voters in 2014 by passing a youth minimum wage a full $1/hour lower for young workers mere months after the 2014 election. Democrats were able to refer the youth minimum wage to the voters, who rejected this legislative power grab in 2016 with over 70% of the vote.”
“Especially egregious is the unnecessary and extraordinary inclusion of an emergency clause in HB 1069, which would prevent South Dakotans from exercising their right to refer this overturning of their will to another public vote. Just because Republicans don’t get their way on something doesn’t make it an emergency – even if it might feel like one for them and their special-interest, big-money friends. South Dakota Democrats urge Governor Daugaard to veto this legislative power grab and respect the will of the voters.”
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