PIERRE - Gov. Mike Rounds says he opposes Initiated Measure 10 on the fall ballot because it would interfere with the political rights of South Dakotans and would not accomplish its stated goal of open and clean government.

Speaking Thursday afternoon at the South Dakota Municipal League convention, Rounds said the measure would prevent cities, counties and school districts from using associations to work with the Legislature on issues.

He says it would prevent the Legislature, city councils, county commissions and school boards from awarding any public money to any group that asks for such funding. Rounds says that means the United Way could not get government money if it asked for it.

Also, he says the owners and relatives of any business that sold even small items to government would be banned from making political contributions.