Governor vetoes bedding tax break, Feickert to fight it

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PIERRE — Rep. Dennis Feickert received the distinction Wednesday of being the first legislator to be vetoed in the 2012 legislative session.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard used his veto pen against House Bill 1116, which seeks to make livestock bedding exempt from sales tax.

The legislation specifically refers to straw, corn stover and bean straw.

Feickert, D-Aberdeen, is the bill’s prime sponsor. He didn’t hear the announcement by the House clerk after the veto message was delivered, but he wasn’t surprised when he was learned about it.

“I was told Monday afternoon to expect it,” Feickert said. He plans to ask for consideration of the veto yet this week.

Overriding a governor’s veto requires a two-thirds majority in each chamber. The legislation passed 52-11 in the House of Representatives and 24-8 in the Senate, despite strong opposition from the state Revenue Department.

Feickert said the potential financial impact to the state treasury was estimated at about $100,000 annually.

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