Immediate Release: Thursday, February 18, 2016

Contact: Michael Ewald, Communications Director, (605) 271-5405, press@sddp.org

House Republicans defeat teacher pay increase

Sioux Falls, SD (February 18, 2016)-

South Dakota Democratic Party expressed their extreme disappointment at the failure of HB 1182, the 1/2 penny sales tax increase designed to raise teacher pay.

“It proves just how out of touch the House GOP is with the rest of South Dakota,” said Representative Paula Hawks.

South Dakota will remain last in the nation in teacher pay. The Blue Ribbon Task Force predicts South Dakota schools will face a serious shortage within the next 5 years.

“Teachers are professionals, not missionaries. If we want them to stay and teach in South Dakota, we need to treat them with respect. With the amount of public input that’s occurred through this process, there’s a frustration that government is broken. I’m here to say, based on my experience and today’s vote, it is broken and the only way to fix it is this November at the ballot box,” Hawks said.

HB 1182 was moved for reconsideration which means it will have an additional chance to come before the House for a vote.

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