Jackley Says Municipal League Broke No Laws In Supporting Measure

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – Attorney General Marty Jackley says the South Dakota Municipal League did not break the law when it endorsed passage of a statewide ballot measure in its monthly magazine.  State Rep. Peggy Gibson  of Huron earlier asked state officials to investigate whether the organization that represents cities and towns violated the law by using taxpayer money to endorse a measure that would set up incentive grants for large industrial projects.  Gibson cited a state law that prohibits use of public funds to influence the outcome of an election, including the passage or defeat of a ballot measure.  Jackley says in his opinion Thursday that the law is superseded by ones that authorize the Municipal League to advocate on measures beneficial to municipalities.