Daugaard's sales tax hike for teachers goes to Senate

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Senate Appropriations Committee this morning sent to the floor Governor Daugaard’s half-penny sales tax increase for teacher pay.

State Senator Deb Soholt, a member of the education blue ribbon panel, says the objective is clear.

Soholt says challenges include the difficulty in attracting people to enter the teaching profession in South Dakota, of keeping people in the profession of teaching and of enticing those who want to come and live in South Dakota.               

Shawn Lyon of the South Dakota Retailer’s Association says there’s confidence in where the money will go.

Lyon says the bill has good oversight, effeciencies and accountabilities.  He says the bill also addresses property tax relief and says that includes commercial property which hasn't seen a lot of attention in previous proposals.            

The measure calls for 63% of the increase to go to teacher pay increases, 3%  to technical school instructors and 34% to property tax relief.