South Dakota Senator John Thune is chairing the Senate Finance Committee’s Taxation and IRS Oversight Subcommittee. He says one of his main priorities is to build on the tax reform measure that was passed last year, which will benefit farmers and ranchers.

He says a challenge in improving tax reform will be working with Democrat Senators and Representatives, who now have the majority in the House.

Thune says another goal is pass legislation to permanently eliminate the estate or death tax.

Thune says achieving positive tax reform is a way to help boost farm income, which is badly needed right now.