I talked to a Republican businessman last night about what might be happening in Pierre next year, and two things stuck out;
– A law may be passed to allow 19 yr. olds to drink in beer joints
– Rounds would probably veto any legislation that would allow cities to increase the sales tax
He told me that many legislators are for lowering the drinking age (Dems and Repubs). Eleven other states have done it. But it has to be specific. 19-20 yr. olds would only be allowed to drink beer AND they could not purchase beer off-sale. I guess it is a loophole with Federal highway funding.
And as I mentioned before, the state will probably not give cities the power to raise retail taxes, unless they come to some agreement like letting the state to raise taxes at an equal amount, which we could see our taxes as high as 8%. We’ll see what happens. My prediction is that there would be a citizen uprising and the increase proposal won’t even make it out of committee. Which leaves us at square one, once again with the Event Center.
I still think the council and mayor should just raise the bed and booze tax and start building the damn thing already.
The city will always spend it’s allowance before it arrives. The events center will be a part of the new resort in nearby Iowa. I do everything I can to buy out of state. Mail order shipping is usually free and no sales tax if retailer has no presence here. Shop at Best Buy then come home and order online for less. Plan monthly trips to Mall of America(no tax on food or clothes). Retailers should be the ones to revolt. Less tax rate would mean more volume, more jobs, and more city revenue.
PG, how much do you spend on gas and shipping just so you don’t have to pay SD sales taxes?
Personally, I’ll support the local economy before shopping elsewhere. That money circulates and enriches everyone.
BTW, PG, does your face still have a nose, or did you cut it off to spite it?
Wait, this is now a loophole 25 years later? The law until ’82 or so was 3.2% beer only for 18 – 20 year-olds. Why didn’t they just change it to 19 back then?
GoD, I think he was being sarcastic.
Scott, I find it very interesting, I was told Heidi-Scott was going to be one of the sponsors.
GoD is correct, buy local as much as you can. The more local companies can thrive the better the entire local economy is, particularly unemployment.
and Scott or L3wis, wasn’t that law to eliminate 3.2 and make it 21 to drink changed in 90? I know when I turned 19 I could hit places like Charlie’s or the old Phil’s for about 18 months or so before they went to 21.
Square one is exactly where we should be for the EC, like Health Care, scrap it and start over.
Step 1: Build the 12K EC downtown.
Step 2: Renovate and expand HWF & CC. Finance both on B&B and spend $125 Mil.
I thought it was earlier than 90, but the 80’s were pretty hazy for me. I thought it was changed shortly after I became of age.
Just a thought:
How about a special property tax to fund the EC? ONLY personal property valued at or above $200k has to pay the EC tax?
…let’s see if the rich councilpersons are willing to put their money where their mouths are.
There is all kinds of tax ideas;
– A corporate entertainment tax
– A luxury tax (Cable, Movies, Movie rentals, boats, motorcycles, etc).
But taxing the poor has always been the SD way, why change now?
Randall,
“How about a special property tax to fund the EC? ONLY personal property valued at or above $200k has to pay the EC tax?”
Absolutley moronic idea that will never fly. How about we turn away everyone at the door who doesn’t meet the $200K poropety threshold as well, right? Just want to be fair.
The Council just voted for a Prop. tax increase and hopefully we can avoid a double dip like they are trying to do with the Sales tax.
The B&B tax is by far the best way to finance an EC and an expanded CC. Other cities, like Omaha, have figured this out.