Major school funding hearing today in Legislature

• Larry Rhoden

Larry Rhoden

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PIERRE — There is a major hearing Wednesday on various school-aid proposals, including SB 191 from Sen. Larry Rhoden, R- Union Center.

It seeks to increase the total state aid and local taxes for general education support per student to $4,626.65 for the 2013-2014 school year from the present $4,490.92.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard proposed the 3 percent maximum allowed under state law, for a total of $4,625.65. That would be an increase of $134.73 per student over the current base. Neither the Daugaard proposal nor the Rhoden bill reflects the $3.9 million one-time increase given by the Legislature last year for the current 2012-2013 school year.

The $1 more per student in Rhoden’s bill would appear to be the vehicle for providing an even larger increase through an amendment at a later time, after the Legislature has a better feel for revenue projections.

Rhoden has big numbers, as in legislators, and from both parties, on his side. Of the 34 other senators, he has 29 as co-sponsors. If they hold together, that would be more than a two-thirds majority needed to override a governor’s veto.

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