After a scant three months in office, Gov. Dennis Daugaard has revealed a governing philosophy that is decidedly conservative.
He is more conservative than Gov. Mike Rounds, under whom he quietly served as lieutenant governor for eight years.
Consider:
- On abortion, they are both pro-life and both have signed anti-abortion measures into law. Rounds did veto an anti-abortion law in 2004, albeit on technical grounds, but in 2006, he signed legislation that would have banned most abortions in South Dakota. That law was referred to the voters, who rejected it by a 55-45 percent margin. Last month, Daugaard signed a measure that requires a 72-hour waiting period and counseling before an abortion can be performed. On this issue, the two men are equally conservative in their views. Both say that protecting the unborn is worth risking a costly court challenge.
It's on other matters where clear differences emerge.
- On the budget, Daugaard has separated himself from Rounds by pushing for balancing the state's budget in one year without spending reserves or taking federal stimulus money. Ignoring the warnings that staff and programs would have to be cut from state government and local school districts, Daugaard held lawmakers' feet to the fire to get a budget passed that nearly eliminates the state's structural deficit.
For the past several years, including before the economic recession began in 2008, Rounds used state reserves to balance the budget. And when the federal government began offering stimulus funds, with strings attached, to state governments starting in 2009, Rounds took the money. Of course, almost every state took the stimulus money to balance their books, which is why 47 states had significant budget deficits this year.
- The Rounds administration would brag about South Dakota's distinction as the state that was quickest to spend its allocated stimulus money. This despite rising unemployment and significant private-sector job losses in the state. It's too soon to tell how much Daugaard will participate in fraudulent claims that federal policies are working. Daugaard has complained to the Obama administration that the federal health care law will cost the state nearly $100 million through 2019 and could force health care providers to stop taking Medicaid patients.
- Daugaard has decided to open Valhalla, the so-called governor's cabin in Custer State Park, to the public. Previously, it had been used exclusively by state governors and their guests, whose identities have not been made public. Under the new plan, the public will be able to tour the cabin and rent it for business meetings and retreats.
How is that a conservative position? Conservatives do not view elected officials or public employees as an elite class of people who govern the masses and are entitled to exclusive use of publicly owned property. It is government that is the servant of the people, not the other way around. Daugaard gets it.
- Along the same lines, Daugaard's change in attitude toward Black Hills Playhouse to return to Custer State Park is in line with the conservative view that responsible, private management of public facilities is better than what government can provide.
Conservatives are only too familiar with officials who become corrupted by the trappings of power. Too often, politicians begin to believe they are lords and ladies rather than servants of the people. Daugaard, so far, has avoided developing an over-inflated self-image. If he can replace Republicanism in Pierre with conservativism, everyone in South Dakota will be better off.
He is more conservative than Gov. Mike Rounds, under whom he quietly served as lieutenant governor for eight years.
Consider:
- On abortion, they are both pro-life and both have signed anti-abortion measures into law. Rounds did veto an anti-abortion law in 2004, albeit on technical grounds, but in 2006, he signed legislation that would have banned most abortions in South Dakota. That law was referred to the voters, who rejected it by a 55-45 percent margin. Last month, Daugaard signed a measure that requires a 72-hour waiting period and counseling before an abortion can be performed. On this issue, the two men are equally conservative in their views. Both say that protecting the unborn is worth risking a costly court challenge.
It's on other matters where clear differences emerge.
- On the budget, Daugaard has separated himself from Rounds by pushing for balancing the state's budget in one year without spending reserves or taking federal stimulus money. Ignoring the warnings that staff and programs would have to be cut from state government and local school districts, Daugaard held lawmakers' feet to the fire to get a budget passed that nearly eliminates the state's structural deficit.
For the past several years, including before the economic recession began in 2008, Rounds used state reserves to balance the budget. And when the federal government began offering stimulus funds, with strings attached, to state governments starting in 2009, Rounds took the money. Of course, almost every state took the stimulus money to balance their books, which is why 47 states had significant budget deficits this year.
- The Rounds administration would brag about South Dakota's distinction as the state that was quickest to spend its allocated stimulus money. This despite rising unemployment and significant private-sector job losses in the state. It's too soon to tell how much Daugaard will participate in fraudulent claims that federal policies are working. Daugaard has complained to the Obama administration that the federal health care law will cost the state nearly $100 million through 2019 and could force health care providers to stop taking Medicaid patients.
- Daugaard has decided to open Valhalla, the so-called governor's cabin in Custer State Park, to the public. Previously, it had been used exclusively by state governors and their guests, whose identities have not been made public. Under the new plan, the public will be able to tour the cabin and rent it for business meetings and retreats.
How is that a conservative position? Conservatives do not view elected officials or public employees as an elite class of people who govern the masses and are entitled to exclusive use of publicly owned property. It is government that is the servant of the people, not the other way around. Daugaard gets it.
- Along the same lines, Daugaard's change in attitude toward Black Hills Playhouse to return to Custer State Park is in line with the conservative view that responsible, private management of public facilities is better than what government can provide.
Conservatives are only too familiar with officials who become corrupted by the trappings of power. Too often, politicians begin to believe they are lords and ladies rather than servants of the people. Daugaard, so far, has avoided developing an over-inflated self-image. If he can replace Republicanism in Pierre with conservativism, everyone in South Dakota will be better off.
