Governor Daugaard on GOAC: “Some committee members just like attention.”

According to KELO Radio, Governor Dennis Daugaard has some words for the Government Operations and Audit Committee, specifically regarding members who are trying to be investigators instead of legislators:

Governor Dennis Daugaard is responding to remarks made recently by State Senator Stace Nelson, who has been critical of the Government Operations and Audit Committee and the Governor’s handling of the GEAR UP program investigation.

The Governor says he’s glad the committee has moved on and is now looking at legislation to shore up the state’s auditing procedures.

He is critical though of some committee members, including Nelson, who want to be criminal investigators. He says that job belongs to the Attorney General and States Attorneys. He says the legislators should be focused on policy rather than trying to find and assign blame.

and…

Without naming Nelson specifically, Daugaard said there are some committee members who just like attention.

Read it here.

17 thoughts on “Governor Daugaard on GOAC: “Some committee members just like attention.””

  1. So the Governor is now officially part of the cover up. Just because certain activities are not illegal (such as ignoring subordinates’ warnings who were being bullied), doesn’t make them right. It was part of the secretary’s duties to take action when confronted with warnings of possible milking of the taxpayers. But for this governor, the solution is just raise taxes some more. What is really obscene is the state’s lawsuit against the school districts, who were left in the dark regarding to Gear Up activities, and instead told that it was just “money in money out”.

  2. Stace has a two step process: 1) find an issue so salacious that the media can’t help but cover it, 2) say whatever he needs to say to get in the paper or on TV.

  3. The NFL is now admitting Trump understands NFL fans better than the NFL does.

    I said the same thing the minute this grew beyond a second string quarterback now unemployed.

    Well, I think the tin ear of the NFL is analogous to those who think it is a political winner to attack personally one of the most popular Governors in the nation. His popularity actually increased since these attacks began in his first term. Just like defense of the men in blue increased when the spoiled rich kids in the NFL began taking a knee.

    I know the Governor et. al. don’t like the attacks because they are like mosquitoes on a summer night but they probably are helping the Governor. Carry on mosquitoes.

    1. Troy, the problem with your analogy is that most of those who agree with Trump, don’t agree with tax and spend liberalism. That is how the swamp becomes full.

  4. The flaw in Gov. Dauggard’s logic is simple. The AG and states’ attorneys are the correct resource for determining the suspected violations of criminal law that may be successfully prosecuted. GOAC, meanwhile, focuses on the second part of its title – audit – while deemphasizing the first part of its title – government operations. State Auditor Marty Guindon said it most succinctly in the August 29 GOAC meeting in Pierre. “We don’t do management audits.”

    There seems to be a gap in oversight within South Dakota state government. We have law enforcement and the legal system to work criminal cases involving state employees and state funds, and we have GOAC and the Auditor General’s office to work state government audits and related financial oversight.

    Based on statements from the key players, what we are apparently lacking at present is a state government capacity to independently oversee and investigate state government programmatic misfeasance, malfeasance, and/or nonfeasance that does not rise to the level of criminal activity.

    Additionally, according to GOAC chair Sen Deb Peters and GOAC/DLA staff, GOAC also has very limited authority to compel testimony from nongovernmental individuals or organizations, even when the testimony would involve contracts or other financial arrangements with state agencies.

    It would seem that it’s time to discuss how this legislative oversight gap might be bridged without overburdening GOAC while assuring sufficient resources for effective governmental oversight by the legislature.

    1. “what we are apparently lacking at present is a state government capacity to independently oversee and investigate state government programmatic misfeasance, malfeasance, and/or nonfeasance that does not rise to the level of criminal activity”

      More simply put: the system of legalized corruption. And it is the executive branch controlled legislature that has created the monster. Legislators who are being attacked by the governor must be doing something unusual, but right…standing up for those they are suppose to represent.

      1. who EXACTLY is corrupt? Could you provide a list of names and reasons…the IM 22 people never could.

        1. Come to the Indian Affairs Committee Oct. 23, at USD. Professor Damgaard will explain it to you. GOAC refused to meet with Damgaard. Wonder why.

    2. Mr. Wyland, is it not the job of the legislatures to have oversight of measuring the results of programs and fund them or not fund them? And is it not the job of the voters to have oversight of the chief executive who has the constitutional responsibility to oversee state programs?

      I thought there was no state misfeasance, malfeasance, and/or nonfeasance. Pretty sure the Attorney General would be prosecuting those things.

      Although, if it is not the legislatures job to have oversight of the various unfeasances and the measuring perhaps at your next visit you could pitch that they might hire Sumption and Wyland really cheap.

      1. There are events that occur – in any organization – that are not criminally prosecutable, but which shouldn’t happen and should be addressed at another level. Not everything done wrong is a crime, but that doesn’t make it right, either.

        My firm no longer does much work with governmental entities (most of our work is with charities and other nonprofit organizations), and I can assure you that doing the type of work being inferred here would certainly not be “cheap”!

  5. Michael for many reasons you have become one of my three or four most trusted posters on this Conservative Blog. The only reason you fit is for your telling the truth which is backed up always by others of reputable stature.
    Incredible that in the public trust today WE need to spin the truth in believable circumstances in order to combat the constant and ever present lies of not only the Republican Alt Right but the Liberal Democrat Alt Left. Both Hell bent on ruining this great country.

  6. Quit making excuses Charlie. Who are the leaders of the alt right that are hell bent on ruining this great country?

  7. Tara my opinion is one of many who believe that when a Republican moves so far off the right side of politics that they attack Moderate and Right Wing Republicans and vote more often with Democrats than Republicans these people become the Alt Right. No need to name names. You already know who they are.

Comments are closed.