OACOMA - Delegates to the Republican State Convention have approved a resolution urging voters to reject a ballot measure billed as an attempt to create a clean and open government.

The resolution opposing the ballot measure passed on a strong voice vote after some delegates said the proposed law would prevent many reputable organizations from lobbying the Legislature or local government, would bar thousands of people from donating to political campaigns, and might be unconstitutional.

But supporters of the ballot measure argue it would clean up government by prohibiting taxpayer-funded lobbying, barring bureaucrats and contractors from trading campaign contributions for lucrative government contracts, and requiring state government to create a searchable Internet site with information about government contracts.

Initiated Measure 10 will appear on the November ballot for a statewide public vote, but the GOP convention's resolution urges voters to reject the proposed law because it "is overly broad and does not accomplish the objective of open and clean government."

Greg Dean of the South Dakota Telecommunications Association proposed the resolution urging voters to defeat the ballot measure. He said open government should include as many people as possible, but the proposed law would exclude many people from taking part in government and politics.

"There's a right way to go about this, and a there is a wrong way to go about this," Dean said.

The measure would not accomplish its stated goal of an open and clean government, he said.

"It will totally miss the mark. It will totally miss the stated goal."

But Kermit Staggers of Sioux Falls said the ballot measure should be approved by voters next fall because it would help protect the interests of South Dakota residents.

"Very simply, state government has not been responsive to state citizens wanting more open government," he said.

Dena Espenscheid, a spokeswoman for South Dakotans for Open and Clean Government, which is supporting the ballot measure, said Saturday's debate showed the system is broken and needs to be changed.

"The exaggerations, hyperbole and outright lies that were spread here by the people opposed to Initiated Measure 10 show how far the tax-funded lobbyists and power-hungry politicians will go to protect the corrupt status quo," Espenscheid said after the convention vote.

The explanation written by Attorney General Larry Long, which will appear on the ballot, states the measure would prohibit state and local governments and their employees from using government revenues for campaigning or lobbying, but some communications with the state Legislature and local boards would be permitted.

Another provision would prevent holders of no-bid government contracts and their employees and family members from making donations to political campaigns.

In addition, the ballot measure would require state government to create an Internet site that summarizes government contracts exceeding $500.

The attorney general also said if voters pass the measure, it might be challenged in court and found to be unconstitutional.

Opponents of the ballot measure said it could prevent business owners and their employees from taking part in the political process if a local government buys goods or services in that business.

The measure also is supported by the South Dakota Conservative Action Council, and the group's executive director Lee Breard said he was disappointed the Republican convention would not back the proposed law.

"It seems that it has become the policy of the SD GOP to support closed government and fight efforts of transparency," Breard wrote in a statement.

But House Republican Leader Larry Rhoden of Union Center, a convention delegate, said the ballot measure is not needed. "This is more of a solution looking for a problem."

Rhoden said Gov. Mike Rounds has committed to establishing a Web site this year that will feature thousands of pages of state government information that is already publicly available and will also provide additional data.

The convention delegates approved an amendment to the resolution urging the governor to establish that Internet site as soon as possible.

Rounds, a Republican, had vetoed a bill calling for such a Web site earlier this year after he said it was poorly written and would cost a lot of money. He said state government would put such information on the Internet in a less expensive manner.

Delegate Pat Powers of Brookings said he opposes the ballot measure because he would be prohibited from donating to campaigns since his wife is a teacher who has a contract with a school district.

Powers also said nearly all the money to support the ballot measure is coming from an unidentifiable source. "I don't believe this measure is even being funded by South Dakotans," he said.

Sam Kephart of Spearfish, a delegate who unsuccessfully sought the GOP's nomination for U.S. Senate, said he opposed the resolution because he believes the party should remain neutral on the ballot issue.