State House declines to make it easier to force an election on excess school taxes
PIERRE — South Dakota state representatives rejected a proposal Thursday that would make it easier to force an election after a school board decides to exceed property tax limitations.
School districts can already raise more revenue by “opting out” of property tax limits set by the state, and local residents can petition that decision to a public vote.
Petitioners are required to collect signatures from 5% of registered voters in the school district in 20 days. The bill would change that to require 5% of voters who cast a ballot in the last school board election or 50 voters, whichever is greater, and give petitioners 40 days to collect signatures.
The legislation failed on a 32-34 vote Thursday in the state House, but the close vote means it could be reconsidered later. The Senate had approved the bill 20-14.
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/state-house-declines-to-make-it-easier-to-force-an-election-on-excess-school-taxes/