Finally the Legislature seems to behind something that is arguably not stupid. South Dakota's flag is, well, a bit 19th century, artistically uninspiring, and does not represent our natural and First Nations heritage at all. How excellent it is that one of South Dakota's finest artists came up with a concept that meets the need. You can read more about this design at the RCJ in an excellent article by David Montgomery (OK, let's just say it, I'm a fan.)
Termes said he tried to blend together two different motifs: the sunburst from the traditional state flag and a medicine wheel to represent Native American heritage.
The bill wouldn't abolish the old flag. All official flags made before July 1 would remain official even after the new design went into effect. The law would also authorize displaying the state seal - currently at the center of the flag - as a flag or banner.
If you are as thrilled about this flag as I am -- please contact your state legislators. Although apparently there isn't a lot of opposition right now, when it comes down to it, the loudest voices seem to speak against changes, even (maybe especially) small ones.
It turns out both of my Pierre-appointed legislators, Kristen Conzet and Brian Gosch (and most others from the area) are players for the "American Legislative Research Council" known to many of us simply as ALEC.
ALEC is an organization funded by large corporations (including the now famous Koch brothers) to write legislation for the states to serve their interests. Not South Dakota interests even -- the interests of their corporate funders. It's that simple.
ALEC provides give state legislators free travel, room and board to gather in swank accommodations while they develop legislation that is designed to keep Republicans in power and serve the needs of those who pay the bills. ALEC makes it very easy for citizen legislators like ours roll out template legislation carefully crafted by experts to control the debate, and efficiently ram through legislation that has nothing to do with local interests and everything to do with a national right-wing agenda.
Maybe we should ask some questions about ALEC at an upcoming cracker barrel?
The list of South Dakota ALEC "participants" is posted here.
It includes:
House of Representatives
* Rep. Valentine Rausch (R-4),[19] ALEC State Chairman[137] and International Relations Task Force member[27] * Rep. Justin Davis (R-23), guest at December 2010 meeting of the ALEC International Relations Task Foce meeting[27] * Rep. Lora Hubbel (R-11), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate * Rep. Betty Olson (R-28B)[16], ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate * Rep. Charles Hoffman (R-23), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate * Rep. Val B. Rausch (R-4), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate * Rep. Mark K. Willadsen (R-11), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate * Rep. Charles M. Turbiville (R-31), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member * Rep. Kristin A. Conzet (R-32), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member * Rep. Jacqueline Sly (R-33), ALEC Education Task Force Member * Rep. Tad Perry (R-24), ALEC Education Task Force Member * Rep. Kim Vanneman (R-26B) , ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member * Former Rep. Kristi Noem (R-6; elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2010), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member * Rep. Jamie Boomgarden (R-17), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member * Rep. Manny Steele (R-12), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member * Rep. Phil Jensen (R-33)[16], ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member * Rep. Fred W. Romkema (R-31), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member * Rep. Bob Deelstra (R-9), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member * Rep. David Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member * Rep. Hal Wick, (R-12) ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member * Rep. Justin Cronin (R-23), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member * Rep. Roger D. Solum (R-5), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member * Rep. Brian Gosch (R-32), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member * Rep. Jon Hansen (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member * Rep. Roger W. Hunt (R-10), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member * Rep. Stacey V. Nelson (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
Senate
* Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), ALEC State Chairman[183] and International Relations Task Force member[27] * Sen. Corey Brown (R-23), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate * Sen. Jeffrey K. Haverly (R-35), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate[27] * Sen. Al R. Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate * Sen. Todd J. Schlekeway (R-11), ALEC Education Task Force Member * Sen. Elizabeth Kraus (R-33), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member * Sen. Tim Rave (R-25), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member * Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member * Sen. Tom Hansen (R-22), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member
Some Republicans that decided not to follow the party line have discovered that the Pierre leadership may have (gasp) interfered with the excellent South Dakota Legislative Research Council (LRC).
We're shocked, shocked, I say!
David Montgomery of the Rapid City Journal reports:
Lawmakers call for subpoenas in intra-party feud
A dispute among South Dakota's Republican legislators continues to heat up, with dissident lawmakers calling to subpoena witnesses for a Tuesday hearing.
Rep. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton, alleges that Republican leaders have spied on and obstructed research into bills by himself and other lawmakers. He also says he was kicked off a committee as punishment for raising reasonable environmental concerns a ruckus over a proposed dairy.
... Nelson and others say that committee isn't doing a full investigation and that its chair, Sen. Joni Cutler, R-Sioux Falls, has made public comments showing bias in the matter.
...In the forwarded emails, Rep. Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood and the chairman of the Executive Board, replied that he will "refer to my lawyer."...
Cutler, Russell and House Majority Leader David Lust, R-Rapid City, did not answer their cell or home phones could not be reached for comment Friday night.
I became aware last year of what a hard road our excellent Legislative Research Council has to walk when they may report information our one-party State machine does not want to hear.
You may recall LRC was blamed by Rep Don Kopp (as part of his quick back-pedal operation) for accidentally inserting the word "astrological" into the ridiculous climate change denial bill (a piece of political crap legislation if we've ever seen one -- the likes of Jackie Sly (House, R-34) -- a retired educator who should know better -- actually voted for this red meat [tripe?] to the ignorant Republican base). LRC had to lay low and refused to defend their reputation to avoid being attacked by the likes of Don Kopp as part of the "Al Gore climate conspiracy."
So glad someone finally noticed. The LRC is a real gem in our state government and should be defended.
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