South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has vetoed SB 136, a measure that would have classified buffer strips as non-crop land and assessed property taxes at a lower rate than agricultural land. The bill was unanimously backed in the Senate and passed the House 58 to 9. South Dakota Corn Growers Legislative and Industry Affairs Director Teddi Mueller is pleased the bill was vetoed.
She says even though SB 136 would have helped corn growers, shifting the tax burden is not a good idea right now or the right thing to do.
Mueller expects an attempt to override the veto when the legislature convenes on Tuesday, which gives them very little time to educate lawmakers on the effects of the measure.
Mueller says the conservation benefits provided for in the legislation are already available to farmers as well as compensation for implementing these measures.
