Cory Heidelberger provides some interesting analysis in regard to what I now will coin Troopergate:
So maybe KELO wasn't flat wrong: back in December, KELO reported that Governor Rounds's proposed budget cuts were already impacting public safety by affecting HP response to traffic accidents during our Christmas snowstorm. KELO then backtracked, quoting HP Colonel Dan Mosteller as saying it was the unexpected change in the weather, not the proposed budget cuts, that caused lags in HP response.
At the time, that explanation made sense. After all, how could budget cuts proposed for the next fiscal year affect current operations?
Today KELO redeems its original story with some serious investigative reporting... or just a lucky break, as a source "concerned Governor Rounds isn't giving a clear picture of exactly what the cuts would mean" sent KELO two internal Highway Patrol memos (PDF format, and worth the wait) about the proposed cuts:Governor Mike Rounds has explained his proposed $2 million dollar cut to the highway patrol as if it hasn't been implemented yet and as if it would only last one year.
But according to this internal memo sent to troopers on December 3, the state asked the highway patrol to cut $2 million annually for an indefinite period of time. The cuts were immediately were put into effect and, according to the memo, could last between 18 months and three years [Lou Raguse, "Internal Highway Patrol Memos Reveal Info on Cuts," KELOLand.com, 2008.02.12].
Whoa -- so the cuts and changes to field operations took effect immediately, as of December 3. The authors of the memos, District 1 (Aberdeen) Captain Rod Olerud and District 2 (Sioux Falls) Captain Kevin Joffer, got their information straight from Colonel Mosteller at a November 30 meeting.
And remember I too thought Keloland got it wrong with their original story, but then this happened:
They are documents the highway patrol and the governor never wanted you to see. But inside department memos are painting a bleak picture for public safety.
Two internal memos obtained by KELOLAND News outline how the governor's proposed $2 million in cuts could affect the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
An inside memo, sent from the District Two Highway Patrol Captain to all his troopers explains where the cuts would happen, and how they would affect the highway patrol.
It wasn't intended for the public's viewing, but a source sent it to KELOLAND News because he's concerned Governor Rounds isn't giving a clear picture of exactly what the cuts would mean.
And Heidelberger makes this observation:
No wonder Governor Rounds doesn't like open government.
This does not help the South Dakota GOP. Again, the people of South Dakota are hearing about the secret manner in which the Republicans are leading the State. ANd on top of it, they are not being straight with the truth. This will lead to more distrust of government and Republicans in general. It is time for the South Dakota GOP to adopt an attitude that the government is the people’s. It is time for transparency. It is time for the Governor and his nationalized global "economic development" agenda to get some scrutiny and not just rubber stamped by the South Dakota Legislature.
If the South Dakota Republicans do not hold this Governor accountable, there will be a change in power come November. It happened at the national level in 2006.
I have been critical of Keloland in the past, but I give them credit on this one. And we should also appreciate the government employee who took great risk as that person but truth above self. And I know for a fact there are other state government employees who are tired of the behind the door maneuvering that is going on in the Governor’s office. Believe me, we need to take a hard look at what is going on with Higher Ed. They are living high on the hog as are roads and Highway Patrol are being sacrificed. The people's needs that a limited governemtn are being neglected in order to fund an "economic development" plan that does not benefit us all, but instead mainly ends up benefiting certain business interests. This is not good government as demonstrated by Troopergate.
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