MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Two-thirds of South Dakotans support an initiated measure that would prohibit the state from collecting sales tax on “anything sold for human consumption, except alcoholic beverages and prepared food,” according to a scientific poll co-sponsored by News Watch.
Support on the rise: The poll of 500 registered voters, also sponsored by the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota, showed that 66% of respondents are for the 2024 ballot measure, with 26% opposed and 7% undecided. That means public support for Initiated Measure 28 has increased since a November 2023 poll that showed 61% of registered voters in favor of it.
Language under scrutiny: Opponents criticized the wording of the measure as broader than just groceries. They said it could cause a budget crunch by preventing the state from collecting sales tax on “consumable” items such as tobacco and toothpaste. “This is not a food tax repeal – it’s a consumables tax repeal,” said Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association.
South Dakota an outlier: Supporters call the measure a long-overdue effort to take the tax burden off low-income families and individuals. They point out that South Dakota is one of just two states, along with Mississippi, that fully taxes food without offering credits or rebates.