PIERRE (AP) - The state House has postponed voting on the proposed half-cent sales tax increase that would help fund Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan to boost teacher pay.
The chamber briefly considered the tax measure Wednesday. But legislators used a procedural move to postpone more debate until next week.
Spectators had filled the chamber's gallery to watch.
More than $60 million from the hike would go toward the teacher salary plan. House Republican leader Brian Gosch is pursuing a teacher pay hike without increasing taxes.
The governor's office says Daugaard is "optimistic" about his proposal. Chief of Staff Tony Venhuizen says the administration sees the delay as a sign that opponents "know that they don't have the votes to kill it."
ADVERTISEMENT
It takes two-thirds support in each chamber to pass a tax hike.
