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PIERRE (AP) - The state House is set to take up the proposed half-cent sales tax increase that would help fund Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan to boost teacher pay in South Dakota.
The full chamber will consider the tax measure Wednesday. It passed unanimously earlier through the House Committee on Appropriations.
More than $60 million from the hike would go toward the teacher salary plan. About $40 million would go to property tax relief.
It takes two-thirds support in each chamber to pass a tax hike through the Legislature.
House Republican leader Brian Gosch is pursuing a separate avenue that would raise teacher pay without increasing taxes.
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The governor's office says Daugaard is "optimistic" about his proposal. Chief of Staff Tony Venhuizen says the governor is committed to finding a solution this year.
