Interview: Scott McGregor (D) for State Treasurer of the State of South Dakota

By: Ky Starr 

1. What distinguishes you from your opponents?
As Dick Butler's Deputy State Treasurer I am already on the job, and the Treasury is working as never before.  For example, we returned more unclaimed property to rightful owners last year alone than did all prior Treasurers in the first 20 years of the program!

My professional career has not just been in government.  I am experienced in
both the public and private sectors.  I was an aide to former governors Dick Kneip and Harvey Wollman and practiced law in Rapid City for 18 years - including 2 ½ years as a prosecutor - before coming to the Treasury in April 2002.

 2.   What is the greatest challenge of public service?
To provide honest leadership without engaging in meaningless partisan
battles.

3.   What is the most important issue facing the State of SD?
Honest tax reform.
 

4.   What advice would you give someone thinking of running for public
office?
Give it serious thought before deciding to make sure you are doing it for
the right reasons.
 

 5.   What is your favorite political book?
Economics and Public Purpose by John Kenneth Galbraith

 6.   What was your favorite political TV program?
All of the Sunday morning news/commentary shows.

 7.   How did you become involved in the (D) Party?
I was a college legislative intern.

 8.   Who are your political mentors?
Governors Dick Kneip and Harvey Wollman and former Senator George McGovern.

What are some of your favorite political quotes?
"The truth seldom catches up with the charge."  Senator Frank Church
"Life is what happens while we're making other plans." Tommy Smothers

 9.  What is your view on the recent Enron debacle? Will the new federal
law be effective?
The Enron mess underscores a serious problem in this country.  The new
federal law will be quickly forgotten and not enforced.

 10. What type of reforms will you bring to the ST position?
As the incumbent Deputy State Treasurer, I will continue the progress that
has been made under the current administration. I will continue to work to
improve the efficiency of South Dakota's banking processes.

 11. How has being a former aide to past Governors prepared you to lead the
State?
I have a comprehensive working knowledge of state government, and Governors
Kneip and Wollman taught me that good state government can be a positive
force.

 12. If elected, what will be your first order of business?
(After popping the cork on a bottle of champagne...) I will continue to work
to repeal the Gag Law**, going to court if necessary to do so.

**The Gag Law makes it a crime, punishable by two years in prison and/or a
$2,000 fine, for an official to inform the public about any investigation or
audit of a private entity by the official, or to release information
obtained unless a legal action results.  It has no place in our system of
government.