House Set to Take up Proposed Sales Tax Hike for Teacher Pay

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The state House is set to take up the proposed half-cent sales tax increase that would help fund Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan to boost teacher pay.

The full chamber is set to consider the tax measure Thursday.

Legislators have twice used a procedural move on the House floor to delay the bill. It passed unanimously earlier through the House Committee on Appropriations.

More than $60 million from the hike would go toward the teacher salary plan. About $40 million would go to property tax relief.

It takes two-thirds support in each chamber to pass a tax hike through the Legislature.

House Republican leader Brian Gosch is pursuing another avenue that would raise teacher pay without increasing taxes.

The governor's office has said Daugaard is optimistic about his proposal.

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