Last updated on 2011.08.09
Perhaps cowed by criticism of continued corporate welfare, the South Dakota Senate came together yesterday to save some scraps for South Dakotans at the other end of the economic spectrum. Governor Dennis Daugaard asked for SB 191 to repeal the food tax refund currently made available to South Dakotans making between 130% and 150% of the poverty level. In floor debate, Senator Corey Brown (R-23/Gettysburg) moved to amend so that SB 191, instead of repealing the refund, simply changes it from a quarterly disbursement to an annual refund. The Senate said "Heck yeah!" 34&ndash1. Even my Senator Olson said yes. Thanks, Russ!
This tiny bread crumb of progressivity in South Dakota's otherwise regressive tax structure now goes to the House, which I hope will also see the wisdom of looking for other places to balance the budget than on the backs of poor folks just trying to eat.