John TsItrian in a recent column claims that “fairness” would be achieved if South Dakota implemented a corporate or an individual income tax. He claims that even those in the Ag business would benefit by not having to pay the same taxes on a yearly basis if they were not successful in their agriculture business.

South Dakotans have fought the long feared state income tax, and for good reason. First, there are a lot of retirees in the state. They are here specifically because we do not have a state income tax. Do you think they will stay if you implement an income tax? I doubt it.

Second, the question of fairness comes into play. The rallying cry of all those pro state income tax zealots is that it is fair. Tell that to the guy making minimum wage who will now be taxed even more. Do you think his rent will go down because the landlord’s property taxes have not gone up? I doubt it.

Third, why can’t the state be a better steward of the money that they have? As individuals if we have less income we have to find a way to spend less. This should be true in government as well. Representative Mickelson was quoted as saying that “even though we have a slight increase in population our revenues have not gone up.” Well, figure it out, that’s why you were elected and you should be able to do the math. Think he can do it? I doubt it.

Forth, the population is looking for tax cuts, not tax increases.   The government saying that they don’t have enough money is falling on deaf ears. An addition of a state income tax would be just that, an “addition”. There would not be a counter balance of adjusting property taxes or sales taxes. Voters aren’t stupid. All of the columnists, legislators and pundits can keep screaming for an income tax in South Dakota.  Legislators won’t stick their necks out to have them chopped off. They want to keep their seats. Would it survive a vote by South Dakotans?

I seriously doubt it.

*** Janette McIntyre *** is an author, training & development manager and Life and Liberty News contributor