Press Release- House Appropriations passes education funding increase

Sioux Falls, SD (February 8, 2016)-

The House Committee on Appropriations voted in favor of HB 1182, the 1/2 penny sales tax increase designed to provide a stable revenue source for teacher pay. House Democrats all voted in favor of the bill.

During Committee, Democratic House Minority Leader Spencer Hawley proposed an amendment to provide almost $40 million additional dollars to K-12 public schools designated for property tax relief in HB 1182. Hawley said the amendment would make available revenue to reach a target average salary competitive with neighbor states.

Hawley argued, “We won’t be able to come back next session and fix this issue. We need to be bold now.”

The amendment failed on a party line vote.

HB 1182 will move to the House floor where it needs a two-thirds majority to pass.

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