Transparency Disappears In South Dakota Legislative Session

During the last few days of the South Dakota legislative session, legislators throw out the transparent public hearing process and replace it with closed caucuses and hallway deals.

There will be some conference committee meetings to iron out differences between the House and Senate philosophies, and while they may be open, there is little, if any, notice provided to the public.

This end of game process puts the public at a disadvantage. Those of us who have followed and offered input on important issues, now have to trust our elected representatives to follow thru with the commitments they have made to us. A dubious presumption.

• Rick Knobe: South Dakota Governor Should Veto Separate and Unequal Law

Transportation officials, transgender students, the High School Activities Association, Medicaid providers, teachers, and the rest of us will be holding our breaths as this fast paced, stressful, and sometimes ugly process plays out.

It will be over Friday.