SD sales tax proposal petitions submitted to state

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Moving South Dakota Forward

By KRISTI EATON
Associated Press
11/1/2011

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Supporters of a proposal to increase South Dakota’s sales tax by one percentage point to boost education and Medicaid funding said they submitted enough petition signatures Tuesday to get the proposal on the ballot next year.

The group Moving South Dakota Forward said it brought the secretary of state nearly 34,000 signatures, more than double the 15,855 required to put the measure on the November 2012 ballot. The secretary of state still must certify the signatures.

Andy Wiese, campaign manager for Moving South Dakota Forward, said the group was surprised by the outpouring of support for the measure, which would raise the state’s sales tax from 4 percent to 5 percent.

“Certainly it was more than I ever imagined or expected,” he said. “I think it just speaks to how much South Dakotans think we need to do something about revenue.”

The Legislature in March reduced per-student K-12 funding by 6.6 percent and cut reimbursements to Medicaid providers by anywhere between 4.5 percent and 11.5 percent. Other agencies saw 10 percent cuts.

The sales tax increase would raise an additional $180 million, with half going to K-12 education and half to Medicaid funding.

About $70 million of the additional Medicaid funding would be used to enhance reimbursements to nursing homes, hospitals, doctors, dentists and other health care providers. David Hewett, president of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, has said the remaining $20 million would cover anticipated growth in Medicaid use and increased enrollments.

The measure is backed by the state’s Association of Healthcare Organizations and the South Dakota Education Association.

Gaining support to raise taxes can be difficult, but the number of signatures gathered shows South Dakotans care about funding healthcare and education, Wiese said.

The group said nearly 500 people circulated petitions and signatures were collected in every county.

Wiese said the next step for the group is to begin a campaign to appeal to the public.

“We want this to be a conversation that everyone participates in,” he said.

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SD Sales Tax Proposal Petitions Submitted To State

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Moving South Dakota Forward

KELO TV
11/01/2011

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Organizers of a proposed 2012 ballot measure that would increase South Dakota’s sales tax to support education and Medicaid say they have collected and submitted enough petition signatures to bring the proposal to a public vote.

The group that calls itself Moving South Dakota Forward says it submitted nearly 34,000 signatures to the secretary of state Tuesday. The group was required to gather at least 15,855 signatures to place the measure on the November 2012 ballot. The secretary of state must still certify the signatures.

The proposal would increase the state sales tax from 4 percent to 5 percent. It would split the estimated annual revenue of $180 million between K-12 education and Medicaid funding.

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Put sales tax for schools to a vote

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Moving South Dakota Forward

Aberdeen American News Editorial
9/14/2011

We are pleased to see the Aberdeen School District stand strongly behind putting a 1-cent sales tax on the November 2012 ballot.

At its meeting Monday night, the Aberdeen school board unanimously passed a resolution supporting the measure that would go toward funding public education and Medicaid, if passed by voters.

The resolution states that the revenue would be split equally between K-12 education and Medicaid, each receiving about $90 million annually.

This is the best way to take the pulse of the people in terms of how much South Dakota is willing to support education and Medicaid funding. But the first step is getting the measure on the ballot.

The group Moving South Dakota Forward is heading the charge. Sixteen thousand signatures are needed to get the measure on the 2012 ballot. We would like to see that happen.

Petition organizers say that the money would be in addition to any education money already available to the state. It likely would help offset the money Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s administration cut from education for the 2012 budget. A 1-cent sales tax is the smallest change to make the biggest difference. It would be a minimal burden on consumers but likely would make a huge difference for the school district.

We believe an investment in education is necessary for South Dakota to remain competitive. Locally, Aberdeen schools are performing well, this after making drastic cuts to their budgets. It is time to make sure they have the money necessary to continue their mission.

And the money would come by choice of residents. It would be a commitment of money and a clear way to send a message, saying, “we think education funding is important.”

Come a year from now, if this measure is slated for the ballot, we can assess the viability and wisdom of supporting a 1-cent sales tax. But for now, let’s just see it get that far and let the people decide.

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Sign petition to get sales tax proposal on the ballot

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Moving South Dakota Forward

Mitchell Daily Republic Editorial
9/2/2011

Readers may be approached in the coming days and asked to sign a petition that may result in a 2012 election to raise the sales tax in South Dakota.

We suggest signing that petition.

The proposal would see the state sales tax rise from 4 percent to 5 percent and is sponsored by members of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and the state teachers union. The wording of the petition was approved earlier this week, and backers of the idea expected to hit the streets Thursday or today. They need 15,855 signatures by Nov. 1 to get the proposal before South Dakota voters next year.

Times are tough in South Dakota. We understand that.

But by asking consumers to pay another penny per dollar on their purchased goods, the state could see immediate dividends to the tune of an estimated $180 million per year. Under the terms of the petition drive, half of that would go to K-12 education, and the other half would go toward Medicaid funding.

Of the latter, $70 million would be used for reimbursing hospitals, nursing homes and other providers, while about $20 million would be used to cover anticipated growth in Medicaid use, according to a recent report by The Associated Press.

Earlier this year, the state Legislature cut K-12 funding by 6.6 percent and reimbursements to Medicaid providers by 4.5 to 11.5 percent.

South Dakota’s sales tax hasn’t been increased since 1969. Perhaps it’s time, but maybe not. This issue is best decided by a majority.

By signing the petition, we are helping get the sales-tax issue on a 2012 ballot. That’s all. We think it best to sign, since this is an issue of statewide importance and one that deserves to be put before the voters.

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Group Announces Petition Drive

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Moving South Dakota Forward

Nicole Winters
KELO TV
9/2/2011

An effort is underway to give you a vote on a proposal to provide more funding for KELOLAND kids.

The measure, which would be put on the November 2012 ballot, would add a penny to the state’s sales tax to help pay for K-12 education and Medicaid.

Andy Wiese is part of a grassroots coalition being called ‘ Moving South Dakota Forward’.

The group came together in response to recent cuts to K-12 public education and Medicaid. Members are hoping an additional penny sales tax could be used to help fund the two areas.

“We’ve been reaching out to volunteers, they’ve been contacting us, just yesterday we sent out nearly 150 petition packets,” Andy Wiese said.

The group, which just received the go-ahead from Secretary of State Jason Gant on Thursday, is already circulating petitions. It will take nearly 16,000 valid signatures, collected before November 1st, to put the measure on the ballot for the 2012 general election.

“What we’re saying is we want the voters to South Dakota to ultimately have that decision,” Wiese said.

Wiese says the adding one penny to the state’s sales tax could generate $175 million a year, with half going to a specific fund for Medicaid, and the other half going to a fund for K-12 public education.

According to the language on the measure, which was written by the Attorney General, the money would be dispersed to schools based on enrollment. It would also give school boards the power to determine how the funds are spent. Medicaid funds would be used for payments to providers and related state expenses.
The additional funds could not be used to offset what the state is already planning spend in 2012.

But before it gets to that, Wiese and the group’s volunteers need enough people to agree to send the matter to a vote. Wiese believes that will happen.

“We’re confident that the volunteers and other people across the state will be willing to sign and have a say in the upcoming election,” Wiese said.

In response to the campaign, Governor Dennis Daugaard’s Director of Policy and Communications released a statement saying:

“The Governor is opposed to raising taxes, but supports the right of citizens to use the initiative process,” Wiese said.

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