Editorial: Override of roads veto was right thing to do

Talk about it

Gov. Dennis Daugaard proved a point earlier this month when he vetoed a bill that would raise money to repair rural roads in South Dakota.

A few hours later, the state Legislature also proved a point, showing that the new governor’s hard-line stance against new taxes still is at the mercy of lawmakers who have their ear to the ground in their home districts.

We’re happy on both counts. Daugaard said he wouldn’t raise taxes as he worked to bring this state’s budget back into line, and he didn’t. The Legislature, meanwhile, didn’t back down in its quest to lend some sort of relief to fix the rotting roads that line this state’s rural areas.

At issue was a bill that raises motorvehicle registration fees in a series of steps over the next two years. The extra money — some $31 million annually — would go to counties, towns and townships. Such steps have been brought up in the past, but it was obvious this year the Legislature was on course to get some sort of new funding mechanism in place, although Daugaard all along said he would not support such a measure.

Daugaard vetoed the bill March 10. Later that day, the Legislature overrode the veto.

Should South Dakotans be disappointed with their lawmakers? Certainly not.

Country roads and highways are a shambles in many areas of the state, and as expenses rise and budgets are cut, it’s unlikely any real relief was on the way. Other solutions — such as local elections to raise taxes — just aren’t likely to work.

And remember: South Dakota vehicle registration prices will still be cheaper than the rates in neighboring states.

Daugaard has stressed that considering the economic climate, now is not a good time to raise any kind of fees or taxes. That’s a noble argument, but it just wasn’t realistic in this case.

The Legislature did the right thing by overriding Daugaard’s wishes.

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