The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota has considered the impact that Amendment W would have on the state’s constitution, the ability of this organization to address elected officials and work with public employees, and the potential for unreasonable regulations to be placed on our organization, and the businesses and individuals that support us.

The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota finds the potential for an unelected tribunal to adopt rules without any review or restraint by any other branch of government unacceptable.  Amendment W is unworkable because it will require a statewide vote to fix mistakes.  Amendment W is too risky to put in the state constitution, too confusing and too long (8 pages/3,329 words).

The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota strongly objects to the forced annual expenditure of $389,000, an amount that is increased annually for inflation, to be given to the non-elected Board.  These funds are excessive for the purpose of the board and would be better spent on schools and law enforcement.

The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota strongly opposes the adoption of an amendment that claims to control all other articles of the constitution using the phrase ““any conflicts with other parts of the constitution-this article controls”  and further objects to the amendments ignoring all other branches of government by proclaiming “notwithstanding Article II” – which provides for the distribution of power to executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota objects to the fact that Amendment W is being promoted by an out-of-state organization with no South Dakota organization other than a Ballot Question Committee that exists only to pass this amendment using out of state money.

The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota therefore concludes that Amendment W is too confusing, takes a statewide vote to change, takes control over every other part of the constitution, creates a non-elected tribunal and forces tax money to fund it and should be defeated.

W is Wrong – Vote NO on Amendment W.