Governor Daugaard presented his State of the State address today, with an increase in teacher salaries serving as it’s centerpiece. From the Argus:
Gov. Dennis Daugaard proposed South Dakota’s first sales tax increase in more than half a century Tuesday to help lift the state’s rock-bottom teacher salaries.
The Republican governor told legislators in his State of the State address that a half-cent sales tax increase would raise about $107 million and allow the state to increase its last-in-the-nation teacher salaries from the current average of $40,000 a year to a target of $48,500. Any surplus would go toward property tax relief.
“This is the year. This is the year to get out of last place. This is the year to act. Let’s join together this year to strengthen our schools and keep our promise to the next generation,” Daugaard said.
What was the response from the State’s minority party, the Democrats? Predictably, when you get down to it, they said they would make a better-er proposal……… by spending twice as much!
“A recommended funding source for the needed $122.5 million of new funds could be a one-penny increase in the state sales tax. This would raise $220 million on an ongoing basis”
Yeah…..
Gathered from watching Argus 100 Eyes that the Dems here in SD are hemorrhaging voters with McGovern Dems dying off and no one is replacing them. The party is insignificant and dying. Ellis and Lalley kept stressing just how bad shape they are.
Democrats response: “Thanks for finally openly coming to our side.”
Graduated from quietly killing gun bills in committee to openly supporting massive tax hikes and Medicaid expansion. The Governor is quickly becoming out of touch with his Republican roots.
Democrats saying there needs to be more taxes the HECK YOU SAY!
next thing you will tell me they want more spending… oh wait
I have a question. Why do we need to fund this with tax increases?
What happened to the $127 million surplus from 2011 and the 10% cuts? All I heard then was surplus, surplus, surplus…
Why are we raising taxes to fund $80 million now?
Did that money that was cut after 2011 go towards something else? If our government is truly leaner under DD then that money should still be available in 2011 plus interest.
I’m just not sure I follow Daugaard’s staffs budget thinking.
After all the tax increases of last year, this should be a nonstarter. If not, the GOP in the state is in trouble with us voters.
So reasons for taxes don’t matter? Needs and responsibilities are not part of a taxation discussion?
Needs? How about the needs of the majority of the rest of South Dakotans who make less than the average teacher pay in the state but have to work for 50-52 weeks a year, sometimes without health benefits or paid time off? There are state govt employees with a college education and many years in the work force who make less than the average teacher.
Responsibilities? How about allocating the education funds to academics? If they want more money for teacher salaries, then how about taking some from administration raises, athletics, and new buildings etc? I know capital outlay funds new buildings, but get that changed then; even the governor said that the capital outlay fund has grown hugely in the last few years because of higher property values. I know that our capital outlay taxes have risen sharply but has there been any decrease in the 3% levy – uh, no, of course.
I get you are against the Democrat’s proposal; Is there any support for the Republican one?
Let each school district figure out what they want to pay their teachers and raise the money on their own. Dennis is lost on this. I want to know how the governor candidates think on this ASAP.
Well, I bet they’re all going to run right into your insurance agency tomorrow and tell you where they stand. Because they all know how important you are. Regret participating in the governor’s hunt last fall?