PIERRE (MITCHELLNOW) – On Election Day, South Dakota voters defeated Initiated Measure 28, which would have eliminated state, local, and tribal taxes on items for human consumption–a $646 million hit to the state budget.
“The defeat of IM-28 is a testament to the voters of South Dakota,” said Nathan Sanderson, South Dakota Retailers Association Executive Director and treasurer of the coalition opposed to IM-28. “South Dakotans recognized that IM28 was bad policy and it would have had a tremendous negative impact on their daily lives.”
“I have always trusted voters to do the right thing, and they proved me right again by defeating this troublesome initiated measure,” said Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls and Chair of South Dakotans Against A State Income Tax. “City leaders throughout South Dakota united behind a common threat because IM28 would have been devastating for local budgets and the state as a whole. I’m thrilled that the people of South Dakota saw the unintended consequences this measure would have created and voted accordingly.”
“Defeating IM-28 was a major team effort,” said Erin Kruger of South Dakotans Against A State Income Tax. “This was truly a grassroots effort with dozens of member-based organizations and dozens of cities and towns coming together to make sure South Dakota’s future isn’t derailed with half-baked ideas and poorly drafted legislation.”
“The defeat of IM-28 once again demonstrates support for public education,” said Loren Paul, President of the South Dakota Education Association. “IM-28 should have slashed school budgets or made local property taxes skyrocket. We are grateful that voters took time to educate themselves on just how bad IM-28 was for South Dakota.”
A complete list of opposition coalition members can be found online at nosdincometax.com.