Weather is one thing. Yesterday wind was whipping up duststorms at 50 or 60mph. Today it is moving around a little snow.
South Dakota legislature and Governor Nome can support the family and education they proudly promote with hollow words by making a couple tax changes. It is long past the time that the SD sales tax should be removed from basic foods such a flour and fresh vegetables and sugar, etc. Then on the education and information front, they can remove the sales tax on books, magazines, and printed newspapers.
But, don't hold your breathe waiting for logic and less gross hypocrisy in SD. Now they are planning to raise the pay of judges working a few hours a week or month from the terribly low $141.000 [er year. Doesn't that just about make you cry for these poor lawyers. My guess is there are a few hundred thousand South Dakotans who wish they could get even 20 percent of that. Which reminds me, the minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 per hour.
Stay tuned---better weather no matter how the wind blows after the 20th.* Doug Wiken
SD Public radio today carried a story on the economic crisis in Venezuela which is apparently a product of poor government and crashing oil prices. Huffington Post has a story and you can find many more. Not a good situation at all.
What was interesting about this today on public radio was that it provided two examples of the bad consequences of the economic collapse. 1. Government offices are only open for two days a week, and 2. Schools are closed on Friday.
Winner SD closes school of Friday as well. The difference is that Winner has no good excuse for their closure. Venezuela has little choice.
*** Stay tuned even if you pass parallel events in the middle of the night-- Doug Wiken
The SD legislature is in session again. Out of Pierre comes a blizzard of sense and nonsense...unfortunately more of the latter. Taxes bring out all the social tribal thinking and both right and left political correctness.
Most likely what I write below will be studiously ignored in the spirit of intentional ignorance that is part of social tribalism, but anyway.
First, too many years ago, I worked with SD:ASAP which was the highway alcohol safety project. At that time I used data from an insurance database if my memory is correct on the social costs of alcohol-related highway crash fatalities, injuries, etc. Then I dug out all tax revenues that I could determine were collected by state and local governments. Those revenues did not even cover one-third of the social costs. I doubt the ratio is even that good now even if alcohol-related highway crash fatalities have been reduced. Now, SD counties are finally figuring out that in addition to the social costs, there are court, prosecution, treatment, etc. etc. that cost counties $millions. So, counties want a share of the existing alcohol taxes. A better option is to double the taxes on alcohol and put THAT extra revenue into the counties and city governments that bear the primary and completely unnecessary costs due to alcohol sales and consumption.
Next, let us look at roads and bridges and the idea of wheel taxes, special taxes on electric cars, increased license and registration fees for cars and pickups, etc. These taxes are plenty high already for light weight vehicles. Where the taxes are woefully too low in that on heavy vehicles on the highways. Highway engineers and others have told me that a loaded semi-tractor and trailer do about 15,000 times as much highway damage per mile of travel as do light cars and trucks. People who apparently are not aware of this think that nothing could be fairer than wheel taxes and license fees on cars. This is logical and tax nonsense. We don't need heavier, better bridges because 2000 to 4000 pound vehicles cross them, we need them because of the trucks and buses moving many tons of load in addition to their own weight which greatly exceeds that of cars. Before another nickel should be mulcted out of the owners of small vehicles, the revenues from heavy trucks should be greatly increased.
And now to education and funding... The so-called Governor's Blue Ribbon commission on education missed several very salient facts and data bits or grossly underplayed them in their desire to get taxes increased for education. First of these facts are the huge unnecessary fund reserves most schools have languishing in bank accounts instead of paying teachers or otherwise improving actual education A recent Bob Mercer article about Gov. Daugaard's concerns noted that there was something in the area of $425 million in general funds and asset funds sitting as reserves in school accounts. . That is just in two of the school accounts South Dakota schools also have $144 million sitting in federal impact funds. The feds have dumped $155 million into SD schools in the last three years. Only about $13 million of that has done anything for South Dakota K-12 education. There are other funds, but I don't now have all that data, but have been told that the total is actually over $600 million. In short, we do not need a new tax for schools.
What do we need to improve K-12 education? Get school boards and administrators off their monument building project hobby horses and use the money to actually educate students. There is enough money sitting in South Dakota banks holding school funds to increase teacher pay for a few years. And, if controls are not put on property tax collections, those reserve funds will continue to increase.
In the way of controls that do nothing is one mentioned in Bob Mercer's article as being presented by Gov. Daugaard. That is limiting capital asset funds to $2850 per student. There are nearly 130,000 K-12 students in South Dakota. Multiply those two numbers and we get something like $370 Million. That amount is more than is now held in those overloaded accounts. This "limitation" is political theater or smoke and mirrors.
The Bob Mercer article also implicitly indicated that all the tinkering with school accounts and previous "caps" is part of past and current mess with school funding and accounts. The accounting system and structure needs to be changed before any more increases, decreases, or whatever. The accounts need to consider cash balances month by month in a more business-like manner. The Capital Assets account should become a Capital Maintenance account to show fuel, power, maintence, care costs. A separate Capital Acquisition account should be the only account that can hold or disburse funds for building or acquiring new assets. Tax revenue can only be collected and assigned to this account if district voters have voted prior approval for a new project of a specific estimated cost and need.
I am sure accountants can come up with much better ideas for adding teeth and transparency to education taxation and funding than I can. Legislators need to take note of failures of the current system and decide to clean up that mess before they dump a single dime more into K-12 education. In any case, the grotesquely large reserves mean that NO SALES TAX INCREASE is necessary no matter how Gov. Daugaard spins the issue or the Blue Ribbon commission story. Even if there would be no increase, there is so much slop in education that multiple approaches other than a tax increase should come first.
And, while discussing the unnecessary sales tax increase, let us note a bit of deception that has been used every time there has been a push for a sales tax increase or broadening. The argument intentionally mixes the tax rate with the tax increase. The rate increase may be "only 1/2 percent", but the actual tax increase is 12.5% . The Democrats are pushing for even more. A so-called "1% increase" is the rate increase. The actual tax increase would be 25%. You can dig up the information in state data, but do not be deceived, either of these is an unneeded tax increase and selling it as a one or two percent increase is just plan deceptive. Either of these poorly thought-out increases is completely unnecessary until school reserve funds are first used and in the meantime, real caps or limits on property tax increases are put into place.
And to add a little more something else to this, Mexico has found that higher taxes on soda pop reduces obesity and diabetes. If any other tax should be increased, it is that tax on soft drinks. Soft sweet drinks, whether sweetened artificially or "naturally" are all actually hard on your health and add a truckload of unnecessary social and medical costs as a consequence. If any sales tax should be increased, it should be the sales tax on soft drinks. Other ideas for increasing it are specious.
***Stay tuned and ignore the social tribal political correctness nonsense--- Doug Wiken
Some counties such as Pennington are considering wheel taxes. Registering a vehicle there usually saves about $16 now. Changes in state and federal funding may require all SD counties to have a wheel tax if they want to get other funds for repairing highways and bridges.
Heavy trucks do something like 15,000 times as much damage per mile of travel as do small vehicles with 2 or 4 wheels. The exponential proposal below doesn't approach a 15,000 times ratio, but does improve the ratio significantly compared to what most counties do now.
Instead of $4 or so for each wheel/tire up to 12 (which is an improvement since Republicans in Pierre finally learned to count past 4) is the typical current tax. For a modest start in making the wheel tax bear some minimal connection to actual highway damage by vehicles, consider an exponential increase based on two multiplied by itself. This would produce taxes as indicated below:
The ratio between 4-wheel total and 12 wheel totals is about 273 to 1...far from 15,000 to one which would be appropriate based on engineer's estimate of highway damage per mile comparing cars with heavy trucks and buses.
This may seem radical to South Dakotans and more or less rational to mathematicians, but it seems to me to warrant serious consideration. Car drivers should realize they are subsidizing heavy trucks (and heavy drinkers) as well. Time to rationalize this.
*** Stay tuned for more prosaic stuff--- Doug Wiken
The Tuesday, July 7, 2015 Rapid City Journal has an AP story titled "Keystone hearing won't affect ruling" with info from Bob Mercer.
If that is the case, what was the purpose of the meeting? PUC Chairman Chris Nelson says the hearing will help commissioners formulate questions during the pipeline process. Apparently this will be followed with an "evidentiary hearing" and the final decision will only depend on testimony and evidence presented at that hearing.
The SD PUC appears to be complicit in dog and pony shows designed primarily to give the impression if not the reality that they give a rat's ass about the public interest. The commissioners should be held personally responsible if they approve a pipeline with pipe made in India and designs only made to specifications perhaps 90% leak free. That just is not good enough when these pipelines cross rivers and aquifers critical to drinking water resources in South Dakota.
The South Dakota Governor's office and the legislature have resisted taxing these pipelines to build up an environmental protection plan. This strikes me as severe, serious dereliction of duty.
With all the newspaper and TV ads Trans-Canada has been dumping into SD ostensibly to influence the easily influenced, but more likely to buy the silence of SD mass media, I was frankly surprised to see even the rather limp news story on the irrelevance of the SD PUC public input hearing in a SD newspaper.
Canada's Trans-Canada outfit was interviewed by Bloomberg News and stated that the primary purpose of the XL pipeline was to get a "glut of crude" out of the midwest so that fuel prices could be increased 10 to 15 cents per gallon. That does not suggest that the XL pipeline is in the interests of the US or South Dakota residents. The enormous tax benefits claimed in the pre-hearing hype has not turned up with other pipelines in reality. Also, the enormous energy demands of the pipeline are likely to increase electric costs for all homeowners in this region. We have already had electric rate increases in most of South Dakota. We really don't need more rate increases because of a pipeline that is not in the US interest.
County commissioners have been wined and dined and requested to send letters of support to the PUC and elsewhere to indicate their support for the pipeline. I am not at all convinced that is a legitimate function of county commissioners especially when none of them seem to have the faintest idea of the potential economic and environmental disaster possible with these pipelines or any engineering experience or education themselves. Their willingness to ignore actual constituent opinion and pander to a very special non-US special interest is very discouraging.
South Central South Dakota has really good drinking water and perhaps not a whole lot else that is really, really good. This resource should not be ignored or under-estimated.
***Stay tuned but don't wait until "Don't drink the water." becomes the local mantra---Doug Wiken
Front page news from the Rapid City Journal indicates the Rapid City Board of Education has placed limitations on the School Superintendent's authority. It appears to me that these restrictions are sensible application of South Dakota laws and regulations that should actually apply to ALL SD school superintendents. Too often it seems that Board of Education members forget that they are to manage the Superintendent rather than the superintendent manage the BOE. All BOE members need to remember they represent taxpayers and school children best by following SD law and prioritizing real education and academic achievement rather than Superintendent's wishes, opinions, and self-aggrandizement schemes.
Below is some text from the RC Journal Story:
In recent months, the public and school board members became increasingly critical of Mitchell's management. The public chastised him for "mismanaging" the district's finances. At the same time, the School Board questioned his decision-making processes.
According to Mitchell's new one-year contract, the School Board intends to stand by President Jim Hansen's declaration it would be taking a more hands-on approach to school district operations.
Mitchell is required to seek School Board approval before he can do any of the following things:
• Hire, fire, transfer, assign or reassign district personnel.
• Initiate, develop, terminate or substantially amend any educational program or curriculum.
• Enter any agreement or contract exceeding $25,000.
• Travel to any conference, meeting or seminar outside the school district at the district's expense.
Those are all duties he was free to perform in his 2014-2015 contract.
I tried to find this information on the Rapid City School webpage. There are hundreds of pages there on contract details, vendor payments, school policies, etc. but I could not find any information related to the RC Journal story on the limitations placed on the Superintendent Mitchell.
***Stay tuned for more on education...a never-ending story in South Dakota-- Doug Wiken
The June 2015 issue of National Geographic on pages 31 to 57 has an article headlined, "High Science". I can only assume most of the information is correct since I have never used marijuana for any purpose..medical or otherwise and haven't had even a beer for many years. It seems to be pretty well balanced indicating both the potential and the perils which may be involved with marijuana, medicine, and medical research.
The medical research and uses by patients suffering from several varieties of diseases and afflictions is interesting. The over reaction of the federal government in classifying marijuana in the same category of drug as heroin also is discussed. The federal position prevents some research in the US that is moving forward in other countries.
The article also discusses Colorado which has legalized marijuana and the impact on society and economy there.
I think it is an article worth reading by all since it appears to be reasonably well balanced in coverage of negative and positive aspects. There is a bit of information for those opposed to marijuana and a lot of information which may be of interest to those hoping for development of medical uses of marijuana or chemical substances it contains.
It also should be read by those who see little purpose in giving long prison sentences to those using pot. It appears to me that marijuana use probably causes fewer costs to society than does alcohol. Likely all the direct tax revenue from alcohol fails to cover even the social costs associated with fatal crashes in which alcohol is a contributing factor. It is interesting that some advocates of marijuana are now pushing for a ban on alcohol sales so long as marijuana is banned.
I also heard an interesting comment today on public radio concerning entry of illegal aliens crossing the US-Mexican border. The number is down. The Hispanic reporter had a number of explanations, but one of them was the legalization of marijuana in some US states. Also note the batch of links below. TypePad reached the limit, but there are many more links and references to the National Geographic article than I could include.
I watched the KELO-TV US Representative "debate" this evening. Corrina Robinson showed some spark and a bit of piss and vinegar that has seemed to be missing in some of her other appearances. I am not a bit unbiased, but I think Corrina demonstrated superior intellect and knowledge of management, military, economics and other issues. Anyway, my rough summary follows. I missed a few early minutes of it.
Like a lot of nonsense talking points from other Republicans, Noem compared government spending to that of an irresponsible teenager with a credit card. Of course, the comparison is absurd. Teenagers cannot mint money. Teenagers cannot levy taxes, etc. etc. Income is from other sources. The comparison is irrelevant and misleading.
Corrina hammered Noem on the $millions of subsidies she and family have received which of course does not fit well with Noem wanting big government slashed for nearly everybody else not quite as fortunate as she.
Noem spend some time about the terrible budget deficits, federal debt etc. Within seconds or a minute or two, she was advocating increasing funding for the military, increasing spending for veteran's care, etc. Noem also wants more military spending specifically to fight ISIS or ISL? / But while Congress should not meddle in military strategy, she conditions her support of more spending with desire to review Obama proposals. Noem in another standard GOP empty talking point is terribly concerned about Obama saying what he won't do and telegraphing what he will or won't do. I am sure that can be a mistake, but after the Bush administration, I think nearly every rational voter wants to know the limit of US military adventures.
Corrina Robinson noted that the Bush wars never budgeted for the consequent care needed for miltary veterans and their families. Noem hammered on lives lost in Phoenix. I am not sure but I think that number actually ended up being very close to zero.
On Affordable Care Act, Robinson said that it was nonsense to have any more votes to abolish it. It is the law of the land. South Dakota is silly and irresponsible for not accepting federal funds to add about 62, 000 more South Dakotans to Medicare coverage.
Noem said she have voted against ACA (actually over 34 times). She claimed it hasn't lowered costs.. which I think is an outright lie. Noem thinks some kind of risk pool like SD had would be good. All that would do would be to make insurance again unaffordable for those with pre-existing conditions. Noem finally admitted that ACA would not likely be repealed while Obama is President.
Corrina Robinson said she supported ACA, but there was always room for improvement in government programs of any kind. Noem said cost of living should be more realistically adjusted for SS benefits. The recent 1.2 % increase or coming increase just isn't enough. Corrina said the cap on income subject to SS tax should be increased to $200,000. Noem of course opposes that and says the solution is to get more people working and paying the tax. I don't think the GOP support of programs that would add jobs has been sterling and I am sure Noem has not disagreed with GOP opposition.
On school shootings and gun control, the both more or less waffled as might be expected in South Dakota. Noem wants more funding for mental health care. That sounds like a good idea, but my guess is that most Republicans in federal and state legislatures have all opposed increasing such funding and research.
Noem is not a friend of any kind of minimum wage. Corrina Robinson said she had helped circulate petitions for an increase. Noem claimed a minimum wage increase would cost something like 40,000 jobs (I missed the exact number she claimed). That claim is called humbug by most economists who instead claim it would increase sales and jobs.
On Keystone XL, Noem favors it making the absurd claims for jobs and economic benefit and indepence from Mideast saying it is better to buy oil from allies like Canada. Of course she neglects mentioning all that tar sands oil is headed for China and the pipeline threatens water resources all along it. Noem mentioned the $9 million claimed for property tax increases. Compare that with the costs of the North Dakota cleanup and the nearly million gallon spill costs and damage that would do to the potable water supply in South Dakota.
Noem conclude with attack on national debt as a threat to our grandchildren, etc. etc. Same old same old inconsitent crap that comes from such airheads who support increasing funds for every program popular or needed in South Dakota, but opposes any tax increases necessary to fund such programs.
Corrina Robinson supported funding for eduction which she claims is necessary for future social and economic improvement coupled with heavier taxes on the very rich tax dodgers.
My conclusion on this of course is that Corrina Robinson helped herself tonight and Noem did not hurt herself. Her parrotting of GOP economic and tax nonsense contradictions will not be noticed by those who vote for any yellow dog in a pink tutu if it has (R) after the name.
Robinson concluded by saying she wanted to give back to the people by working for them in congress. Robinson was logically consistent and rational.
Noem was the usual contradictory nonsense of raising funding for all the big government programs that benefit her politically and opposing all the necessary tax increases needed to make her nonsense possible. Noem is a walking contradiction who's disconnected blather looks silly if everything is put into rational context and continuity.
***Stay tuned, the election will come out in the end...like a rotten meal---Doug Wiken
Mike Rounds latest round of TV deception ads states something like, "Mike Rounds would vote like you would vote." Really?
1. Would YOU really vote to slash taxes on those making $millions per year?
2. Would YOU really vote to put insurance companies in charge of Medicare and Medicaid and increase Insurance Company profits by $billions.
3. Would YOU really vote to maintain multi-national corporations to set wages so low their employess are on welfare and further their ability to stifle employee speech and spend unlimited amounts buying elections?
4. Would YOU really vote to destroy the federal agency that aids education and students from k-12 through post graduate work?
5. Would YOU really vote to force college students to pay higher loan rates and give shysters free range to exploit them?
6. Would YOU really vote to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and the lower middle class?
7. Would YOU really vote to support a foreign pipeline designed to increase your gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil prices by 10 to 20 cents per gallon?
So, do you really think Mike Rounds would vote like you with his superiority values?
*** Stay tuned... election day is close. Your decision can make or break you.-- Doug Wiken
A few elections ago, campaign workers here from out of state were amazed to find some of the poorest South Dakotans living in the most run-down inadequate housing proudly REPUBLICAN. They could not understand why when the GOP almost always takes actual action (rather than what they say) to make life harder and harder for the poorest or most unfortunate...whichever comes first.
Below is a link indicating the conservative think tank misinformation and deception coupled with Fox Noise might also be factors.
You may want to ignore practically every ad on this site however.
Average South Dakotans who continue to vote Republican after that party tries to screw them for the benefit of the rich and polluting are like a dog that enjoys repeated beatings.
***Stay tuned for more on the South Dakota circus parade of fools-- Doug Wiken
Residents of South Dakota. Check your broadband speed with the SD Speedtest. Your test will both let you know how speedy is your ISP and also help get us better service in South Dakota.
===================
Blog Content is not
influenced by ad content
and no "paid" content is
in the primary posts.
===================
===================
Please Read Notices/disclaimers at bottom of this column before using this site. Clicking Dakota Today masthead on other pages of the blog returns to home. I have no control over external links that leave Dakota Today. Scroll down for more links and other information in both right and left columns. A world of information buried here.
===================
Recent Comments