SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - State Representative Spence Hawley of Brooking says the defeat yesterday of the sale tax increase for teachers was a battle lost but the war continues.
Hawley says even if the Governor’s proposal is voted down again Monday, he doesn’t believe teacher pay is a dead issue.
He say the legislative process isn't always pretty, but he says the minority party is still hopeful and optimistic. Hawley added that being a Democrat in South Dakota means you have to be optimistic.
Hawley says it may be a good idea to the keep the Democrat’s teacher pay raise bill alive which calls for a full penny increase in the sales tax but removes the sales tax on food.
He says there are many moving parts to the school funding proposals and says there are many "vehicle" bills in the legislature. He says it's important that the new teacher-based formula is fair to all schools, small and large. He says it's important that the new money goes to teachers.