Sales Tax Hike to Help Raise Teacher Pay Faces Senate Vote

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A proposed half-cent sales tax increase to help fund Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan to improve South Dakota's lowest-in-the-nation teacher pay has one more political test.

The state Senate is scheduled to consider the tax hike Tuesday. If approved by the chamber, the bill would head to the supportive governor.

Advocates for the tax increase say the state needs a sustainable funding source to boost teacher pay. Opponents argue that education could be prioritized in existing tax dollars.

It takes two-thirds support to pass a tax increase. The House hit the exact number of required votes last week.

Most of the proposed tax increase would go toward teacher salaries, but a large chunk would go to property tax relief. A small portion would go toward salaries at technical schools.

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