It looks likely that South Dakota voters will be asked to decide on a one cent increase in the sales tax next fall. The group, “Moving South Dakota Forward” submitted almost thirty four thousand petition signatures to the Secretary of State’s office yesterday. The group, a coalition of education and medical groups, is asking for the tax hike to offset budget cuts imposed by this year’s legislature. Dave Hewett, President and C.E.O. of the South Dakota Association of Health Care Organizations says turning in almost double the number of signatures needed is a good sign of support…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/11/Dave-Hewett-1102a.mp3|titles=Dave Hewett 1102a]Hewett says they found strong backing in getting the petitions signed…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/11/Dave-Hewett-1102b.mp3|titles=Dave Hewett 1102b]Hewett says once the issue is certified by the Secretary of State, they will begin planning their campaign for next November…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/11/Dave-Hewett-1102c.mp3|titles=Dave Hewett 1102c]A one cent increase in the sales tax would raise about one hundred eighty million dollars a year. The petition calls for the money to be divided evenly between education and health care.
(courtesy WNAX Yantkon)