Governor, ‘angry’ legislators clash over fight commission

Article: Top legislators from both parties clashed with Gov. Dennis Daugaard Friday, the first public sign of strife in a legislative session marked so far by an unusual degree of cooperation and bipartisanship.

The spark for the battle was a bill to create a commission to oversee boxing, mixed martial arts and other fights.

Daugaard opposes such a fight commission, believing it “legitimizes a violent and dangerous activity. He, following the decision of his predecessor Gov. Mike Rounds, declined to appoint members of a previous commission created in 2009. Daugaard cited concerns about legitimating the activity and about cost.

The decision to not appoint the commission didn’t sit well with legislators Friday.

“How many other appointments that were the will of the Legislature has the governor failed to appoint?” asked Sen. Corey Brown, R-Gettysburg. “I can’t tell you how angry that would make me.” (Argus Leader, 01/25/2013)

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Video: Reporter David Montgomery interviews South Dakota state senator Mark Johnston about a controversial bill legalizing mixed martial arts in South Dakota. (Produced by David Montgomery on Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.)