Taffy Howard

Schools facing sanctions by state government have received their fates from the legislative appropriations committee.

TIF districts are a controversial use of tax dollars, especially when the public is opposed to what those dollars are funding. In Rapid City, strong opposition led to one major TIF being put to a special election.

A gap in South Dakota statute means state departments can’t pay for interpretive services when somebody contests an administrative case. One legislator is looking to change that in light of a recent—and unique—case.

The Government Operations and Audit Committee’s November meeting looked at three major issues tied to voter interests: education, election integrity and the governor’s spending.

Legislators on the Interim Rules Review Committee looked ahead to next session by discussing five changes they want the committee to support in Pierre.

The Government Oversight and Audit Committee, or GOAC, subpoenaed South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson. 

As tax increment finance, or TIF, districts continue to be debated, they were an item of focus at the most recent meeting of the state comprehensive property tax task force. Some lawmakers still aren’t convinced of their effectiveness.

The plans would utilize taxpayer dollars to develop areas that would surround or directly benefit new fast-food locations as a draw to expand into Rapid City.

South Dakota is feeling the squeeze from all directions as federal funds are significantly cut across government. Now, South Dakota’s lawmakers need to manage the crunch.

When it comes to discussion over how to address rising property taxes, a philosophical discussion at the heart of state politics came into play. Skepticism around economic development is creeping into South Dakota.