Don Frankenfeld

In his recent My Voice, Ben Lee, a lobbyist for a group funded by out-of-state billionaires, is trying to mislead South Dakotans into thinking Initiated Measure 22, the Anti-Corruption Act, would “force” you to donate to candidates like Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. This is far from the truth.

IM 22, S.D.’s anti-corruption initiative includes a voluntary campaign system to curb the influence of special interests and lobbyists. IM 22 let’s you control $100 of your own tax money, so that you have the option to support qualified candidates who best represent your beliefs and values. It’s that simple. It’s your choice. You are not forced to do anything. Lee inaccurately says this is “mandatory,” but it is not.

Special interest lobbyists like Lee oppose IM 22, because they benefit from the corrupt status quo political system and don’t want it changed. Lee and his coalition of lobbyists are against IM 22 because they don’t want every day South Dakotans to run for office and win against candidates favored by the establishment and their wealthy friends. It’s no surprise that the lobbyists are pushing false statements since they are so fearful of losing power to the people of S.D.

IM 22, S.D.’s Anti-Corruption Initiative, reforms a corrupt political system where big donors and lobbyists hold all the power, and gives ordinary people a stronger voice. It fights corruption, holds politicians accountable and makes our elections more transparent.

Right now, S.D. is the only state in the country where lobbyists can give secret unlimited gifts to politicians. IM 22 ends unlimited lobbyists gifts and stops the revolving door of politicians taking jobs as lobbyists soon after leaving office.

Voters deserve to know who’s spending money on politics and elections. IM 22 dramatically increases transparency and accountability rules for lobbyists and big money interests, so voters can see where big campaign contributions are coming from.

Lobbyists like Ben Lee don’t want you to know that after a similar campaign finance system was passed in Maine in 1996, its legislature became the most middle class in the country, with one out of seven state representatives holding blue-collar jobs. Farmers, waitresses and others who usually can’t make their voice heard in politics, were able to win elections and represent their constituents free from the influence of special interest cash.

A new report from National Institute of Money in State Politics shows that states, including Maine, Arizona, Connecticut and Virginia, that passed measures similar to IM 22, have the most competitive state legislative elections in America. More competition means elected officials more accountable to the people and responsive to the needs of South Dakotans.

Seven out of 10 female candidates in Maine said a policy similar to IM 22 was very important in their decision to run for office. Former Maine Sen. Deb Simpson, who was a single mom and waitress when she decided to run for the state house because a policy similar to IM 22 allowed her the resources “without having to figure out how to ask for money from donors when I really didn’t live in that world.”

IM 22 would stop big-money lobbyists from having more control than everyday citizens over our elected officials. It’s time. South Dakotans should say “yes” on 22 to fight corruption and start fixing our broken political system.

MY VOICE

Don Frankenfeld lives in Rapid City and is a former S.D. state senator and the Republican co-chair of South Dakotans for Integrity. My Voice columns should be 500 to 700 words. Submissions should include a portrait-type photograph of the author. Authors also should include their full name, age, occupation and relevant organizational memberships.

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