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State Legislature Snakes in a Smokeout on Municipal Tax increase

l3wis 4Comments

Just when you think something is done, it isn’t.

A maneuver on the House floor today called a “Smoke out” will bring SB135 (city sales tax increases) to the House floor even though a committee had voted it down.   ALL the Rep’s will vote on it now.

Please contact all your Rep’s before noon tomorrow (Tue).

Choose some point or points you think might resonate:

— Very likely there will be significant tax increases this session for highways. So this is not the time to be adding more tax increases to what already is probably coming!

– Talk about a tax increase! This one is a 50% increase in sales tax for cities! (2% to 3% is a 50% increase!) This is huge, especially for Sioux Falls, where population is growing, and sales tax revenue too – much faster than the population. The Argus just reported Sioux Falls has a reserve equal to 37.2% of its budget. Some cities may need new revenue, but even for those, this is the wrong way to raise it.

— This bill raises the most regressive tax we have!

SB135 hits harder on the lower-income people, who already pay a greater portion of income than the well-off. Legislators like to tout what a low income state SD is. Well, we do have lower taxes overall, but only for some of us. People with lowest fifth of incomes pay a higher portion of income than the national average.

— This bill would take more food off tables. Families with limited budgets for food already lose 3 weeks worth of food over a year to state and local tax. This bill would cost them 3-and-a-half weeks worth.

— SB135 is for special projects and requires a local vote, and legislators love “local control.”  But you know how a city can call just about anything a special project and bring out supporters in a low-turnout election. (streets for Sioux Falls. How special is that?)

Please help these Rep’s see that meeting basic human needs (food and heat) should have their higher priority than local control.

TO CONTACT REP’S: Email them.

The format is  rep.lastname@state.sd.us

Call and leave a message for one or two Rep’s,  605-773-3851

South Dakotans State Funding State Legislature Taxes

Today is the day to weigh in on SB135

l3wis 1Comments

Today is the day to weigh in on SB135, because the House State Affairs committee takes it up early tomorrow (Friday), 7:45AM.

This bill hikes the most regressive tax we have.

SB135 hits harder on the lower-income people, who already pay a greater portion of income than the well-off. Legislators like to tout what a low income state SD is. Well, we do have lower taxes overall, but only for some of us. People with lowest fifth of incomes pay a higher portion of income than the national average.

This bill would take more food off tables. Families with limited budgets for food already lose 3 weeks worth of food over a year to state and local tax. This bill would cost them 3-and-a-half weeks worth.

Talk about a tax increase! This one is a 50% increase in sales tax for cities! 2% to 3% is a 50% increase! This is huge, especially for Sioux Falls, where population is growing, and sales tax revenue too – much faster than the population. Yesterday’s Argus reports Sioux Falls has a reserve equal to 37.2% of its budget. Some cities may need new revenue, but this is the wrong way to raise it.

SB135 is for special projects and requires a local vote, and legislators love “local control.”  But you know how a city can call just about anything a special project and bring out supporters in a low-turnout election. (streets for Sioux Falls. How special is that?)

Please help these Rep’s see that meeting basic human needs (food and heat) should have their higher priority than local control.

rep.Bartling@state.sd.us

rep.Bolin@state.sd.us

rep.Gosch@state.sd.us

rep.Haggar@state.sd.us

rep.Hawley@state.sd.us

rep.Langer@state.sd.us

rep.Mickelson@state.sd.us

rep.Munsterman@state.sd.us

rep.Solum@state.sd.us

rep.Stevens@state.sd.us

rep.Verchio@state.sd.us

rep.Westra@state.sd.us

Mike Huether Sioux Falls South Dakotans State Funding State Legislature Taxes

Americans for Prosperity opposed to 3rd penny for municipalities

l3wis 7Comments

I don’t often agree with the right wing boloney coming from Americans for Prosperity, but I do agree that raising another penny for municipalities is certainly a horrible idea. They have their reasons to oppose the tax increase, which are the usual choking of economic development, etc., etc. and just being opposed to taxes in general. My reasons are a little different, sales taxes are a regressive tax, and South Dakotan’s impoverished and middle class are already paying too much.

I can see why this will get broad support from both sides of the aisle in our state legislature. Democrats like extra tax money to spend on play things, this is why our mayor is just in love with the idea. Republicans in the state most likely support it, because any increase on sales taxes means a shift away from a corporate or income tax, something that scares the crap out of them.

Let’s face it, there are many things wrong with the proposal. First off, even if I supported the legislation, which I don’t, I would require a 60% majority for passage of the tax increase. I would also eliminate the ‘sunset’ clause, because let’s face it, they are just a myth sold to voters.

But I guess one of the reasons I vehemently oppose the tax increase, especially in Sioux Falls, is because we seem to have a bad habit already of spending our CIP 2nd Penny on playthings, I can’t imagine the out of control spending we would have for projects for the special interest groups if a 3rd penny ensued. You think indoor pools and tennis centers are an unneeded expense now, give the city another $100 million plus a year and you will see them on every corner.

We need responsible taxing, and this is where Americans for Prosperity and I disagree. We need to eliminate the sales taxes on food, clothing and utilities and we need to implement a corporate income tax to foster economic development, or even better yet fund indoor tennis facilities that 99.9% of us sales tax paying peeps will never use.

Besides, the CEOs and their children need something to do during the winter besides counting their frozen moldy money.

 

State Legislature

SD GOP 5 Year Plan; Eliminate ALL Democrats in the State Legislature

l3wis 8Comments

IMAG3795

State Legislators Soli, Buhl & Hawks at Democratic Forum, 2/13/2015.

While I heard many crazy things today, like certain Republican legislators calling homosexuals mentally ill and should seek treatment for their ‘gay’ illness, one thing that sparked my interest was the Republicans attempt at total state domination. Ironically, their plan to eliminate ALL Democratic legislators by 2020 coincides with re-districting and the Census.

I don’t think they will achieve this goal, but it is a very scary proposal. Debate and discussion between opposing parties helps to create good legislation, and the proof is in the pudding. The Republicans now have a super majority in Pierre, and just look at the lousy legislation they are proposing now, wait until they control the whole legislature. Looks like I better get my reservation in for a moving van.

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