Republican push to increase sales taxes would fall hardest on lower-income residents

By: Kevin Hardy

Outlets: Stateline

Published: March 18, 2026

Words: 1,766

Last Updated: 3 days, 3 hours ago

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There’s no doubt that raising sales taxes in order to lower property taxes will shift more of South Dakota’s tax burden to lower-income residents, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff said.

“It is regressive,” he said. “There’s no denying that.”

But Mehlhaff said the state’s modest sales tax increase will bring a much-needed reprieve from rising property taxes, under two bills Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden signed into law last week.

South Dakota is among several …

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