Sales Tax Hike for Teacher Pay Passes State House Committee

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A legislative panel has approved the half-cent sales tax increase that helps fund Gov. Dennis Daugaard's teacher pay plan.

The House Committee on Appropriations voted unanimously Monday for the bill. It now heads the House floor.

More than $60 million from the hike would go toward the teacher salary plan.

Tony Venhuizen is chief of staff to the governor. He says it's time to send the message to surrounding states that South Dakota values education.

House Republican leader Brian Gosch is pursuing a separate avenue to raise teacher pay without increasing taxes.

Gosch says one proposal would use current state dollars and put $30 million toward teacher pay in the first year, and $20 million each in the second and third years.

Venhuizen says Daugaard is "optimistic" about his proposal.

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