The Senate spared Governor Kristi Noem the agony of having to consider another possible violation of her promise that “We Won’t Raise Taxes” with the defeat of House Bill 1251. That bill sought a tax that HB 1251 called a fee on multi-jurisdictional out-of-state totalizator hubs (remote betting outfits) to boost the state’s subsidy for horse racing.
The House was barely o.k. with creating that new tax, securing just two more votes than the 47 necessary for the two-thirds vote necessary to take more money from the people. Representatives Drew Dennert and Kaleb Weis showed that their anti-tax conservatism is not as important as pleasing special interests at home with money for their preferred government handouts.
Senator Al Novstrup challenged his young colleagues’ eagerness for new taxes. On HB 1251, Novstrup voted no, as did 18 other Senators, leaving it with just 15 yeas, well short of the 24 needed for passage.
At least one tax increase has made it to the Governor’s desk: Senate Bill 182 raises the maximum levy school districts can impose for special education by 3.1%. That increase passed with minimal opposition, in part thank to the fact that it isn’t legislators directly raising taxes but passing the buck to school districts. SB 182 awaits the Governor’s attention.
I’m surprised, but pleased that one chunk of corporate welfare was not passed.
Alas, this corporate welfare would have gone to a tiny and apparently uninfluential commercial enterprise. The big boys who can afford to hire Matt McCaulley as their lobbyist get what they want.
Mr. McCaulley is indeed a fine fellow to put in the trenches if you can afford his services. A Lobbist Extraorinarre, no doubt.