PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The House Republican leader is looking for a contingency plan to hike teacher pay in case the half-cent sales tax hike proposed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard fails to gain legislative support.

Majority Leader Brian Gosch told The Associated Press that a group of Republicans may have a rough alternative by Friday.

He says it's "prudent" to have one ready if the governor's proposal, which he opposes, goes down.

The sales tax increase is projected to raise more than $60 million for salaries next budget year. Tony Venhuizen is chief of staff to Daugaard. Venhuizen says the governor's office is "optimistic" the proposal will pass.

Gosch says If the group keeps the education funding formula, they would try to increase school aid at least 2.7 percent.

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