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The American Legion Auxiliary Greer Post #11, Wagner, SD nominee for Unit Member of the year 2023 is Jeanette Fuchs.
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The 98th Legislative Session is finished. It was a great session, historical, in the fact that we delivered the largest tax cut in South Dakota history and will keep $104 million dollars in the pockets of our taxpayers by cutting sales tax by 4.5% to 4.2%. I am thankful to have been a part of this and optimistic that this tax cut will help families and businesses going into the future. This tax cut will be felt everywhere that South Dakotans purchase goods – including the grocery aisle.
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The final week of the 2023 Legislative Session was not without some challenges. It is important to review the history behind the sales tax to understand the Legislature’s tax cut. In 2016 the SD Legislature passed HB1137 which increased the state sales tax to 4.5%. The tax had been 4% since 1969. Gov Dennis Daugaard asked for the higher tax to help raise teacher pay because SD was in last place nationally for teacher pay. 63% of the proceeds would go towards increasing state aid to education, 34% for property tax relief and 3% for raising instructional salaries at the technical schools. At that time the House vote was 47 Ayes which was the exact number needed for a 2/3’s majority. A key part of that bill was a promise made that “If the state can enforce obligation to collect and remit sales tax on internet sales, the additional net revenue from these sales shall be used to reduce the rate of sales tax. (The Partridge Amendment) HB1137 is a bill that will lower the sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2%. It passed in the House 70 to 0 and 31 to 2 in the Senate on Thursday. This will result in the largest tax cut in the history of the state of SD. The Senate added an amendment that includes a sunset clause which means the legislature will have to either remove the clause or vote again on the tax rate before July 2027. The legislature evaluates all the budget analysis every year and makes adjustments that are in line with South Dakota’s growth. This has allowed us to develop a budget that addresses our states obligations as we try to reduce taxes and give the people of SD more money in their pockets. Passing of HB1137 honors the legislatures promise made in 2016.
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After 40 years as a doctor interacting with patients, in the last two and a half years the tables turned, and I’ve become the patient. Although most are good, I’ve found some doctors are detached, some are too quick, some would rather be somewhere else, some are even angry; but, when a physician who cares walks into the room, and I’m not exaggerating, the day becomes better, the pain becomes less, and hope fills my heart. Scientific knowledge is important, but the ability to convey honest concern, human thoughtfulness and compassion is equal in importance in this healing profession. So, how do we select pre-med students for that, or teach compassion in medical school?
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LADY RED RAIDERS BRING HOME 2ND PLACE TROPHY FROM STATE A GIRLS BASKETBALL
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The last week of session was a huge success! We passed a balanced budget, found a compromise and passed a combined $120 million in tax relief for the session, fully funded Medicaid providers, paid our teachers and workers at the rate of inflation, passed a tuition freeze at our universities and technical colleges, and invested a large chunk into public systems infrastructure and prisons funds that need to be replaced. I’m pretty darn proud of the job we did and the effort we put into it.
Read moreFeeding South Dakota food distribution will be held Friday, March 24 at the Scotland Community Church at 8:45 a.m.; the Tyndall Fire Hall at 10:30 a.m. and at the Avon Fire Hall at 12 noon.
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PK-4: Wyatt Avant 5-8: Bree Vanderlei 9-12: Aaden Kuchta
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