The legislature sort of surprised themselves when they agreed on $85 million in tax and fee hikes for road and bridge repair and maintenance in South Dakota.  Dave Owen, President of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, say he didn’t expect the compromises that emerged at the end.

Owen says while the bill came together quickly at the end of the session, it didn’t start that way.

Owen says due to the emergency clause in the bill, it will raise about $20 million by July 1st.  He says counties and townships will have to make decision on the property tax increases included in the bill.

Owen was in Yankton as part of his post legislative swing around the state.