Lobbying

COMMENTARY
Lobbyists in the halls of the South Dakota Capitol building in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota lacks transparency in lobbyist spending

BY: - July 8, 2023

Lobbying is one of the least transparent political activities in South Dakota, and an interest group’s inclusion of three legislators on a recent tour of the U.S.-Mexico border provides an example. The three legislators are Sen. Casey Crabtree, R-Madison, Rep. Will Mortenson, R-Pierre, and Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls. I’m picking on their trip because […]

(Illustration by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Interest groups spend thousands on social events for lawmakers, with no disclosure

BY: - March 25, 2023

PIERRE — Politicians, lobbyists and liquor dealers gathered in the back room of a restaurant. It was mid-January, a couple of weeks into South Dakota’s annual legislative session. Everybody was unwinding after a long day at the Capitol, chatting and mingling.  Pork roast was on the menu. People lined up for drinks at the bar. […]

Sens. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City, and Tom Pischke, R-Dell Rapids, converse before the Senate session begins on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight)

House kills spousal lobbyist ban after legislator calls it ‘dirty laundry’

BY: - March 6, 2023

PIERRE — A bill that would prohibit a spouse of a legislator from being employed as a lobbyist died on the House floor Monday morning. Senate Bill 197 would apply to active members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and it would apply to any lobbyist who received benefits from a lobbying firm.  Rep. […]

Sen. Michael Rohl, R-Aberdeen, testifies at the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight)

Bill barring legislative spouses from becoming lobbyists passes Senate committee

BY: - February 13, 2023

PIERRE — A bill that would prohibit a spouse of a legislator from being employed as a lobbyist passed the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday morning. The bill, SB 197, was introduced by Sen. Michael Rohl, R-Aberdeen, and would apply to active members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The committee passed the […]