Sister Pat Prunty from the Presentatation convent came to crackerbarrel, as the Sisters regularly do, to ask legislators about relieving the poor of the regressive tax on food. As they regularly do, our Christian conservative legislators mostly ignored the Sisters’ appeal for Christian decency. Senator Al Novstrup ignored Sister Pat completely, leaving his seat when she stepped to the mic so he could drain the last dregs of Chamber coffee. His District 3 House counterparts held down the fort and dodged the question:
As he seems to be doing more often, Representative Drew Dennert (R-3/Aberdeen) spoke to his sense that bills are coming but avoided expressing any position. Representative Carl Perry (R-3/Aberdeen) at least graced us with some interesting statistics from a handout he got in Pierre from Kids Count:
- 89.2% of kids under age 6 in District 3 have both parents in the workforce. That’s notably higher than the state’s already high 74.4%.
- Despite their extra labors, parents aren’t bringing home more dough: median household income in District 3 is $48,538; statewide median household income is $54,126.
More people with lower incomes means (a) Aberdeen must be doing a crappy job of recruiting employers who pay decent wages, and (b) repealing the tax on food would help a higher proportion of families here in District 3 than it would statewide.
But Rep. Perry did not specifically address the food tax relief about which Sister Pat asked: he simply said he’s “hoping that there is something we can do.”
Repealing tax on food would help more people than all the taxcuts for the koch bros have done.
Which is hardest for South Dakota wingnuts to accomplish- cut taxes for the poor or the wealthy?
Poor people are paying more in tax now because of teachers.
Jason, poor people are paying more in tax because of Republican legislators who neglected teacher pay for two generations, then refused to consider progressive alternatives offered by Democrats.
Nostrap’s level of worthlessness is astonishing, climbing higher every day.
Mr. Novstrup, the elder, has never gotten a single vote from out-of-state name-callers, yet he cruises to victory in the elections every time. I suspect it is because he is polite and respectful.
You vote for wingnuts in corrupt Northern Mississippi, Grudzilla, makes you a party to the corruption. My conscience doesn’t bother me and I suspect you don’t have one.
Young man grudzie … No candidate has ever gotten ANY vote from someone from out of state. Lot’s of money, support and ideas, though. Try again, boy.
In addition to removing the sales tax from food, a blessing we have in Minnesota, here is a bundle of ideas for real, valuable legislation for South Dakota.
The USA is the #1 food exporter in the world. #2? The Netherlands. Yeah. The US has 220 x the arable land, but the Netherlands is right behind us and gaining. Why? Innovation. Trying new things. Using technology. Taking care of the environment. Farming sustainably. Not one single CAFO.
They’re not trying to do the same farming methods of our grandparents, only more. The Dutch are the healthiest, tallest people on the planet, and mad skaters too!
Here. Get more info. SD could jump into this with both feet, SDSU at the helm, and lead the nation! Have some courage SDGOP! Leave a great legacy that will be remembered for generations! Be a hero Gov. Noem! South Dakota CAN do this.
“Where Is the World’s Next Meal Coming From? The Netherlands.”
http://flip.it/x7Psrg
Grudz, such rank hypocrisy does not deserve to win an election, no matter how sweetly Al frosts that hypocrisy with politeness and feigned respect.
Real respect consists of speaking honestly to voters.