State Sen. Stan Adelstein, R-Rapid City, has proposed a "let's gouge the tourists" tax to help fill in the state budget deficit.
Will an extra penny of sales tax run off people who want to see Mount Rushmore or keep them from picking up a souvenir of the Black Hills? Probably not. The question really becomes is it the right thing to do?
Everyone has heard the battle cries of all of the agencies from the court system to the school system.
Legislators are afraid if they actually follow through and support Gov. Dennis Daugaard that the wrath of their constituents will be evident at the next election.
I contend if they raise the taxes, the wrath will be even greater. People are tired of being taxed. The national election proved it and the state is no different.
Everyone is looking for a cow that can be slaughtered and hoping it is not sacred to anyone who can yell very loud.
At the same time, the hunt is on for more money. Whose pocket can be picked while they are not looking?
At the moment, it appears it's the tourists and every other South Dakotan who happens to spend money during the summer months. The justification for this latest heist is once again "the children."
Have you ever heard them justify adding to the general fund by saying it's to pay administrative salaries? Not that I can recall.
I'd like to suggest a different approach - one that I don't think has been seriously discussed. At least I'm not aware of it.
What would happen if we looked to law breakers instead of our tourists and the rest of the law abiding citizens to pony up more money every time they break the law in South Dakota?
We could call it the "Double the Fun, Double the Fine" method of raising general fund money.
It would work something like this: Every offense that has a fine in the state of South Dakota would immediately be doubled. If you break the law, as an example run a stop sign, and the fine is $25 it now becomes $50.
The city/county keeps the first half and the second half goes directly to the state general fund.
This method of revenue generation may make people think twice about breaking the law. That in of itself would be a benefit to the community.
At an early age young drivers would learn that it's no longer a slap on the wrist and a nominal amount when they break the law but a substantial amount that may make paying the ticket a little bit harder.
This would be the fairest "tax" of all.
Better than sales tax because it does not target disproportionately any economic level. Better than income tax because it doesn't penalize you for actually earning a living. But best of all, you make the decision to pay it.
You break the law, you have chosen to pay a little more than the law-abiding citizen.
It's now time that those people who work hard, follow the rules, and don't make bad choices get a break.
There is no harm to the cities or counties. They still keep the same revenue stream that they have always gotten from fines.
A side benefit would be a safer and more law-abiding South Dakota. If we had less crime as an unintended consequence and fewer fines would that be bad?
"Double The Fun - Double The Fine." I can see the billboards now. It has a better ring than "Let's Gouge Our Guests" don't you think?
Will an extra penny of sales tax run off people who want to see Mount Rushmore or keep them from picking up a souvenir of the Black Hills? Probably not. The question really becomes is it the right thing to do?
Everyone has heard the battle cries of all of the agencies from the court system to the school system.
Legislators are afraid if they actually follow through and support Gov. Dennis Daugaard that the wrath of their constituents will be evident at the next election.
I contend if they raise the taxes, the wrath will be even greater. People are tired of being taxed. The national election proved it and the state is no different.
Everyone is looking for a cow that can be slaughtered and hoping it is not sacred to anyone who can yell very loud.
At the same time, the hunt is on for more money. Whose pocket can be picked while they are not looking?
At the moment, it appears it's the tourists and every other South Dakotan who happens to spend money during the summer months. The justification for this latest heist is once again "the children."
Have you ever heard them justify adding to the general fund by saying it's to pay administrative salaries? Not that I can recall.
I'd like to suggest a different approach - one that I don't think has been seriously discussed. At least I'm not aware of it.
What would happen if we looked to law breakers instead of our tourists and the rest of the law abiding citizens to pony up more money every time they break the law in South Dakota?
We could call it the "Double the Fun, Double the Fine" method of raising general fund money.
It would work something like this: Every offense that has a fine in the state of South Dakota would immediately be doubled. If you break the law, as an example run a stop sign, and the fine is $25 it now becomes $50.
The city/county keeps the first half and the second half goes directly to the state general fund.
This method of revenue generation may make people think twice about breaking the law. That in of itself would be a benefit to the community.
At an early age young drivers would learn that it's no longer a slap on the wrist and a nominal amount when they break the law but a substantial amount that may make paying the ticket a little bit harder.
This would be the fairest "tax" of all.
Better than sales tax because it does not target disproportionately any economic level. Better than income tax because it doesn't penalize you for actually earning a living. But best of all, you make the decision to pay it.
You break the law, you have chosen to pay a little more than the law-abiding citizen.
It's now time that those people who work hard, follow the rules, and don't make bad choices get a break.
There is no harm to the cities or counties. They still keep the same revenue stream that they have always gotten from fines.
A side benefit would be a safer and more law-abiding South Dakota. If we had less crime as an unintended consequence and fewer fines would that be bad?
"Double The Fun - Double The Fine." I can see the billboards now. It has a better ring than "Let's Gouge Our Guests" don't you think?
