February 2015

We don’t need new taxes in SD, just lift some exemptions

l3wis February 6, 2015 5Comments

I have often agreed with many we could lift the tax on food, fund education and fix our roads if we just lifted some tax exemptions. This is total exemptions from a report from January 2013: (Doc: SummaryofStateSalesTaxExemptions0113Â )

I decided to cherry pick the ones I think should be lifted, which would total an estimated $60,137,00. There are many others that dealÂ with agriculture, but I left them out, because I believe if there is an end sale, it shouldn’t be taxed.

The two that amaze me the most are hunting lodges, generalÂ lodging and advertising. I work in printing and advertising, and have often been confused that we can charge a tax for printing a tangible postcard, a form of advertising, but not a placement ad. Seems like a double standard to me.

State Funding State Legislature

BREAKING: SB 166 Tabled

l3wis February 6, 2015 8Comments

I got a call about 12:30 that the bill has been ‘tabled’ by it’s sponsor, Corey Brown. This of course means there is a possibility it could return, but from another sponsor, but after the backlash, that is highly Unlikely.

Brown said the negative backlash is what made him decide to table it. And rightfully so. The only negativity is the arrogance that he wielded thinking he could push this through. I think they thought this would go under the radar, but over 30 papers across the state published editorials and columns about the detriment of the proposed bill.

I would like to give a big thumbs up to Theresa Stehly who helped spearhead the opposition by contacting statewide media and other legislators. I would also like to thank SD Bread for the World, SD Peace and Justice Center, Gordon Howie and Rick Weiland and the SD Democratic Party for getting the message out.

Don’t mess with the voice of the people.

State Funding State Legislature

Friday is a big day for the Senate State Affairs Committee

l3wis February 5, 2015 0Comments

The Senate State Affairs is hearing the GOP’s bill to chip away at your right to propose and vote on laws on Friday, November 6, 2014 at 9 or 10am (The Brown Bill 166)Â (You can listen by clicking the podcast link here.)

They will also be tackling the budget issue HJR1001. This editorial says it all;

“South Dakotans who think a balanced budget amendment is common sense fail to realize both the complexity of a national economy and the dependence small states have on the federal government.”

I also find the irony and hypocrisy of giving themselves a raise. $6,000 for 40 days of work ain’t bad, considering if it was a full-time gig they would be making about $50K a year. But the hypocrisy comes from not wanting to raise teacher wages and trying to fiddle with the minimum wage increase. So this is my suggestion to the State Legislature, put it on the ballot and let the citizens of SD decide if you need a raise.

SF School District

The Sioux Falls School Board wants a ‘compromise’

l3wis February 5, 2015 10Comments

What is the definition of ‘and’?

When I first watched this story in disbelief (mostly because there is no compromise with the board and Homan) I enjoyed the hilarity of their comments;

“How do we make this so it’s an ‘and’ solution. How do we start school as late as possible and have the semester end in December and maximize the number of instructional days for students?” Sioux Falls School Superintendent Pam Homan said.

And what?! Now that you are threatened with an election that you will lose you decided to work with the group? And I only thought it took physical threats against the school board members to change policy? Boy, I look like a jackass.

“If we had more input, we wouldn’t have acted necessarily to approve that calendar. We would’ve very willingly compromised,” Sioux Falls School Board President Kent Alberty said.

LMAO! Yeah Kent, they have only been asking for 4 YEARS!!!! Maybe you need to clean the wax out of your ears.

My advice to the group is to move forward to the election, and don’t look back. Short timer Homan and the deaf, dumb and blind school board can continue their compromise keepers meeting. Now let’s all say the pledge of allegiance!

Michelle Erpenbach Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

SF City Councilor Erpenbach feels citizens who want transparency are ‘picky’

l3wis February 5, 2015 3Comments

It’s only an extra $4 million, why is everyone being so picky about it?

Well, I have came to expect these kind of comments from Michelle;

â€œThe whole idea that everything is already set over there is so wrong,â€ she (Erpenbach)Â said. â€œI don’t even like to give it any credence. It just comes from folks who look for something to pick at.â€

Yeah how dare several citizens and councilors have questioned the transparency and funding of this project! I often wonder what closed government Lah-Lah land Michelle lives in.

We don’t need new taxes in SD, just lift some exemptions

BREAKING: SB 166 Tabled

Friday is a big day for the Senate State Affairs Committee

The Sioux Falls School Board wants a ‘compromise’

SF City Councilor Erpenbach feels citizens who want transparency are ‘picky’

You Missed

UPDATE: Sioux Falls City Councilor could be facing ethics violations after tonight’s vote on Tre Ministries project

UPDATE: City Council Agenda (Dec 2-3)

Seems we are a we bit behind on snow plowing

Libertyland TIF should go to a vote of the entire state!