Rep. Kathy Tyler (D-4/Big Stone City) swings the big stick on the GOED/EB-5/SDRC scandal. In a press conference in Sioux Falls this afternoon, Rep. Tyler called for a special session of the South Dakota Legislature to authorize and fund an independent forensic audit of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the state's EB-5 visa investment program, and all associated projects and businesses back to 2004. Here's the text of Tyler's petition:
Rep. Tyler says the audit and other reviews of GOED activities Governor Dennis Daugaard has ordered are too narrow and ignores activities of the South Dakota Regional Center, the erstwhile South Dakota International Business Institute, and the disgraced SDRC Inc. that lost its five-year contract to run our EB-5 program in September. Rep. Tyler also raises concerns about using local firms with even a hint of conflict of interest. "There are enough issues already without compromising the integrity of the forensic audit with a non-independent firm," says Tyler.
A special session just two weeks before the regular session begins may seem unnecessary. Rep. Tyler contends we need to get answers as quickly as possible without snarling up the regular session:
We are very busy during session. This issue deserves our undivided attention as soon as possible.
We need to show the people of South Dakota that we are concerned about their money and ferreting out the guilty and the innocent in this very complicated, incompetently run program. If done now, the forensic auditor may find issues that can be shared with federal investigators. Each may prompt more investigations.
We need to find the answers to the questions that are being asked right away. Let's get it behind us, so we can go into the 2014 legislative serssion without its burden [Rep. Kathy Tyler, prepared remarks, 2013.12.02].
Per the South Dakota Constitution, Article 3, Section 31, Rep. Tyler needs to get 46 of her fellow House members and 24 Senators to sign her petition. She dropped petitions in the mail to each legislator this afternoon; she will also be placing on legislators' desks tomorrow. She says the deadline for submitting petitions to the Legislative Research Council is next week Tuesday, December 10.
My guess is that those directly involved will not want anything to do with this. The ones peripherally involved will feel the same. So, will uninvolved legislators, especially Republicans, be brave enough to sign? Will they see the Republican powers losing that power? What are they hearing from their constituents? Will all the innocents find it within themselves to do the right, ethical and honorable thing?
While I am angry with the Republican leadership and the followers who have been going along with them, signing Rep. Tyler's petition does require some courage. In MN after same sex marriage was voted into law, the chief organization that supported the bill didn't fold. They kept fundraising for the legislators who voted for it and represent red or purple districts. BEFORE the vote those legislators were assured that they would get this fundraising support. That took the sting out of threats that they'd lose their seat for that one vote.
Could something like that be done in SD? Some fundraising, volunteering, etc. That could be awfully helpful.
wow!!!!! the ol boy's will be squirming in there seats tomorrow when she drops that petition on there desk!!!!!!!
I really like this sentence:
"We need to show the people of South Dakota that we are concerned about their money and ferreting out the guilty and the innocent in this very complicated, incompetently run program."
The tooth paste cannot be put back in the tube, but all those with dirt on their hands did not die in a Charles Mix County shelter belt either.
Tyler's use of the word "incompetently" struck me as refreshingly blunt. Tomorrow could be an awkward meeting for all of the legislators and the governor... and it should be.
Can't wait to hear the excuses from legislators opposed to this petition.
"It's just not how things are done."
What's going on with the legislature tomorrow?
Gov's budget address
Glad to see Rep Tyler calling for something that most of SD residents are anxiously awaiting. There is little doubt that this will fail along party lines. She deserves credit for having the courage to bring it.
Corey I would like it if you could keep a tally of every Representative who has signed this, I'll be sending out emails urging support,
Gladly. Fill their inboxes!