Daugaard Misses Mark On SB 159

Sioux Falls, SD (March 25, 2016)-

The South Dakota Democratic Party expressed its disappointment at Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard today for signing SB 159, the stealth school voucher bill.

“This is why you can’t elect a Republican to do a Democrat’s job – just when you thought Governor Daugaard had learned from his monumental mistakes in eviscerating K-12 budgets in 2011, he signs a piece of legislation padding insurance companies at the expense of public education,” said Michael Ewald South Dakota Communications Director.

Critics argue SB 159 is unconstitutional and will cost taxpayers $2 million in revenue.

“When school districts are clamoring for changes in the funding formula because of enrollment calculations. When we’re told again and again we have no money to fund a constitutionally obligated responsibility—public education. It is illogical in the next breath to say we can afford to give away $2 million in tax breaks to private schools,” said Ewald.

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