To the Editor:
Here are some facts about Amendment W, on the Nov. 6 ballot.
1.  A total of 40 S.D. groups have joined the Vote No on W coalition. Chambers of Commerce, farm and ranch groups, S.D. Retailers, Associated School Boards, and the
State associations for counties, cities and townships.
2.  W creates a 4th branch of government, not accountable to any of the other three branches. That is contrary to the government checks and balances set up when this state was founded.

3.  W says “notwithstanding any other provision of the SD Constitution, including Article II” (division of powers). In other words, the eight pages added by W supercede all present language in the S.D. Constitution that has governed us since statehood.
4.  Rule-making powers that are not subject to review by any other branch of government. This is contrary to the process for all other government entities when making rules.
5.  Of the $390,000 raised and spent so far in support of W, not one dollar or one donor lives in this state. Ninety percent of the monies come from the East Coast.
6. W repeals the existing S.D. Government Accountability Board, which is bi-partisan and was  created by bi-partisan action of the S.D. Legislature.
7.  W creates a board which can investigate, subpoena, censure and fine any elected official and any employee of every state and local government. That is way too much power.
8.  No other state has anything like this in their constitution.
W is wrong for South Dakota. Vote No on W.
Michael Held
Huron