South Dakota legislators raised the state sales tax a half cent in 2016, with most of the money dedicated to raising teacher pay.

A recent report from the National Education Association shows the state now ranked forty eighth, up from the customary fifty first.
Senator Jim Bolin of Canton supported the tax increase……

Bolin, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, says it will be difficult to continue to rise in the national rankings…..

Bolin says legislators this year had to make budget adjustments to give districts an increase in state aid…..

A task force will meet this summer to talk about the teacher pay plan, and if any adjustments may be needed.