(South Dakota Broadcasters Association)– With five legislative days left in the session– four of them this week– the big question is if South Dakotans will get a tax cut? And if they do, what form will it take?
There are several choices and even more combinations–0.3% off the broad state sales tax? 4.5% off the sales tax on food? A property tax reduction? Some combination? Something else?
The Senate will take the first attempt at 1 p.m. to hammer out an agreement with HB 1137. It would reduce the general sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2%.
Gov. Kristi Noem says she wants the sales tax off food and has even threatened to veto the state budget– nearly $8 billion in state and federal spending– if she doesn’t get her way. As the budget usually passes by wide margins at the end of the session, it is an open session on whether a Noem veto would be sustained.
Most committees are no longer meeting now except for conference committees made up of three members each from the Senate and House on bills that passed their chambers in different forms.
The House goes into session at 9 a.m. today (Monday). They are scheduled whether to concur on Senate changes to a bill funding a new state health lab. (HB 1022)
The lower chamber also considers Senate changes in a bill on how practitioners can prescribe medical cannabis. (HB 1154).
The House is also scheduled to consider a bill clarifying which ailments qualify for medical marijuana. (SB 1)
The lower chamber is also scheduled to consider a bill to bar a legislator’s spouse from being a private lobbyist. (SB 197)
Whether to spend federal infrastructure funds on water projects is also on the calendar. (SB 156)
At 1 p.m., the Senate goes into session.
Besides the sales tax bill, they’ll also consider whether to concur with Senate changes to a bill that might put rural juvenile offenders in the Department of Corrections system. (SB 4)
They are also scheduled to consider a bill that would not make women criminally liable if they have an abortion. (HB 1220)
The upper body is also set to consider a bill regulating hallucinogenic compounds derived from hemp. (HB 1226)
The Legislature meets today (March 6, 2023) through Thursday.
Veto day is Monday, March 27.
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