Candidates split on sales tax increase

• District 7 Republicans say now’s not the time for tax hike; Democrats want more funding

BROOKINGS – District 7 candidates for the state Legislature found some common ground on Saturday morning, as all six met for a forum at the Brookings City & County Government Center.

All said they recognize the dangers of texting while driving and support a statewide ban on the practice.

And for various reasons, none of the six support Referred Law 16 as a whole. The proposal is an education reform act to establish a teacher scholarship program; create a program for math and science teacher bonuses; create a program for teacher merit bonuses; mandate a uniform teacher and principal evaluation system; and eliminate state requirements for teacher continuing contracts.

But one area where the candidates parted ways was their positions on Initiated Measure 15.

IM 15, if approved, would increase the state’s general sales and use tax rate by 1 cent, with the extra funds, estimated to be $180 million per year, divided evenly between K-12 public education and Medicaid.



For the complete article see the 10-15-2012 issue.

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