FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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PIERRE--Governor Mike Rounds announced that his administration supports a bailout plan for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The Governor made the announcement at his weekly news conference today.

"I realize the Argus Leader is always on my case about stuff, like the state airplane and open government," Rounds said.  "Frankly, they are a pain in my ass and most South Dakotans can't stand the rag.  However, I have to look beyond pettiness like them always wondering about who's going hunting with me and how many relatives I've hired and do what's best for South Dakota," he added.

The South Dakota Republican said that the upcoming ten percent cut mandated by parent company Gannett at the Sioux Falls paper would have a profound economic and cultural impact on the state.

"Let's face it.  What would South Dakotans do if they couldn't read what the Lovely and Long Suffering Mrs. Beck thought about life each Sunday," Rounds asked the assembled journalists and staff.  "And what would our citizens do if they couldn't learn about how much better life was in the 1950s and 60s in Chamberlain from columnist Terry Woster?  Exactly.  Our state's quality of life would be greatly diminished," he added.

One reporter who will no longer be allowed to participate in news conferences asked the Governor if his $149,000 bailout plan to use state-backed debentures to prop up the ailing newspaper wasn't politically motivated.

"Sure, the Argus Leader is a great foil," Rounds said.  "And of course every politician covets having their opponent endorsed by the Argus, which is the kiss of political death.  But I have to think of the econmic impact that the loss of even one Argus employee would have on the state's economy," he added.

Rounds noted, for example, if the Argus had to let the restaurant reviewers go, that would have a terrible impact on the Sioux Empire's food service industry.

"Every single restaurant they review gets three out of four possible stars," Rounds explained.  "They conclude that every restaurant in the Sioux Falls area is 'pretty good.'  If they stopped their always positive reviews, the Department of Revenue estimates the loss of sales tax because of fewer diners at over $2 million a year.  Things are too tight with the state budget to allow a hit like that."

Govenor Rounds plans to brief legislative leaders on the details of the bailout prior to the Budget Address on December 2, 2008.

"Together, we can make South Dakota--and the Argus Leader--even better," the Governor concluded.

*If you believe this news release, I have a bridge in Harrisburg I'd like to sell you.