September 25, 2008
Kephart, Butler unveil Internet ad exposing connection between government contracts, campaign contributions
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Supporters of a ballot proposal to prohibit tax-funded lobbying and "pay to play" government contracts Thursday launched their campaign for a "yes" vote on Initiated Measure 10, unveiling a new Internet video that details tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to state officials by a single firm that since 2004 has received over $23 million in no-bid state contracts.
(See "Pay to Play" infomercial at www.CleanUpSD.com)
South Dakotans for Open and Clean Government, at a news conference in Sioux Falls, said state and local politicians and contractors should play by the same rules that already apply under federal law, which prohibits federal contractors from donating to candidates for federal office.
Sam Kephart of Spearfish, earlier this year a candidate for U.S. Senate in the Republican primary election, said, "Voting yes on 10 will bring common sense public disclosure and ethics reform to our state and local governments, the same standards we already require by law of our federal elected officials in Washington."
"Specifically, voting yes on 10 will stop politicians from handing out 'pay to play' government contracts to companies in exchange for campaign money or high-paying jobs with lobbyists or contractors after leaving office," Kephart said. "Just as federal law already does regarding federal government contracts and campaigns, Measure 10 will prohibit state and local government contractors and their families from making campaign contributions to the same politicians who award those government contracts."
Kephart unveiled a four-minute Internet infomercial on the relationship between campaign donations and no-bid contracts awarded by state government, pointing to a major advertising agency which has received nearly three dozen no-bid contracts since 2004 while donating tens of thousands of dollars to high-ranking state officials' political campaigns.
Former two-term State Treasurer Richard Butler, a Democrat from Faith, said during his eight years in that position, "I discovered this 'pay to play' racket and saw the same politicians, lobbyists and government contractors who oppose Measure 10 go to considerable lengths to preserve and protect it against any threat to their little money tree. That’s why they oppose Measure 10, because it will end politicians’ ability to financially reward their campaign donors with government contracts, and vice versa."
"Specifically, voting yes on 10 will stop politicians from handing out 'pay to play' government contracts to companies in exchange for campaign money or high-paying jobs with lobbyists or contractors after leaving office," Kephart said. "Just as federal law already does regarding federal government contracts and campaigns, Measure 10 will prohibit state and local government contractors and their families from making campaign contributions to the same politicians who award those government contracts."
Kephart unveiled a four-minute Internet infomercial on the relationship between campaign donations and no-bid contracts awarded by state government, pointing to a major advertising agency which has received nearly three dozen no-bid contracts since 2004 while donating tens of thousands of dollars to high-ranking state officials' political campaigns.
Former two-term State Treasurer Richard Butler, a Democrat from Faith, said during his eight years in that position, "I discovered this 'pay to play' racket and saw the same politicians, lobbyists and government contractors who oppose Measure 10 go to considerable lengths to preserve and protect it against any threat to their little money tree. That’s why they oppose Measure 10, because it will end politicians’ ability to financially reward their campaign donors with government contracts, and vice versa."
Butler said the ballot measure would also "prevent the politicians, lobbyists, and government contractors who oppose Measure 10 from spending our tax dollars on lobbying or political campaigns, including their false and misleading campaign against Measure 10 itself. Already, counties and cities across South Dakota have used tax dollars to pass and publicize resolutions expressly urging voters to vote no on Measure 10."
The YES on 10 campaign also said that according to South Dakota television stations, opponents of Measure 10 have already purchased nearly $800,000 in TV ads.
Kephart and Butler signed a campaign pledge promising that supporters of Measure 10 would spend any tax dollars on their campaign, nor accept or spend campaign donations from any tax-funded organization or tax-paid government contractor.
They challenged opponents of the proposal to join them in that pledge and to refund any moneys already received from such sources. They also pledged that if opponents will do the same, YES on 10 will fully disclose their campaign donations on a weekly basis, more often than required by law. They said opponents should immediately disclose the source of their nearly $800,000 television advertising campaign.
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The YES on 10 campaign also said that according to South Dakota television stations, opponents of Measure 10 have already purchased nearly $800,000 in TV ads.
Kephart and Butler signed a campaign pledge promising that supporters of Measure 10 would spend any tax dollars on their campaign, nor accept or spend campaign donations from any tax-funded organization or tax-paid government contractor.
They challenged opponents of the proposal to join them in that pledge and to refund any moneys already received from such sources. They also pledged that if opponents will do the same, YES on 10 will fully disclose their campaign donations on a weekly basis, more often than required by law. They said opponents should immediately disclose the source of their nearly $800,000 television advertising campaign.
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