A legislative committee has killed a bill to disclose safety and security costs for public officials. Senator Reynold Nesiba says the bill would have added transparency about Governor Kristi Noem’s activities outside the state.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol provides security for the governor. Nesiba says it’s important to know where money for the governor’s security comes from.
“We can’t use the motor fuel tax to provide security to the governor if she’s in Maine campaigning or in Georgia campaigning…we need to pass this bill so it’s clear how security is being funded and that we’re not misusing the motor fuel tax.”
Those against the bill say releasing financial information would compromise security plans. Craig Price is the secretary of public safety for the state.
“Security is more effective when the perpetrator knows less. Security isn’t kept in mind for the 99+ percent of the public that have no intention of causing harm, we have to plan security for the very small amount of people that do have an intention of causing problems.”
The committee deferred the bill to the end of the session, which effectively kills the bill.
A similar bill with bipartisan support failed earlier this month.