|
Senate endorses constitutional amendment on taxes
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Senate has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote to pass any ballot measure imposing a new tax or increasing an existing one.
• A two-thirds vote is already required in the Legislature to pass a new tax or increase the rate of an existing tax. But ballot measures imposing or increasing a tax can now be passed with only a simple majority in a statewide vote.
• The proposed amendment would require a two-thirds vote on any ballot issue that creates or increases a tax.
• The proposed amendment also would clarify that if a tax is expiring, a two-thirds vote would be needed to extend it.
• If the House endorses the proposal, voters in 2014 would decide whether to change the South Dakota Constitution.
•
SD Senate panel rejects animal cruelty measure
CHET BROKAW,Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A measure that sought to make aggravated cruelty to dogs, cats and horses a felony was rejected by a South Dakota legislative panel Tuesday after state officials and representatives of agricultural groups said it would have conflicted with existing laws that effectively combat animal abuse.
• The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 7-1 to kill the bill, which supporters said would help catch and treat mentally disturbed people who often mistreat animals before harming people.
• Animal rights groups have said South Dakota and North Dakota are the only states without felony penalties for animal mistreatment. The North Dakota Senate has approved such a bill, which now awaits action by the House.
• South Dakota law currently makes inhumane treatment of animals a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. The bill would have established a new crime of aggravated cruelty to dogs, cats and horses, a felony punishable by up to up to two years in prison and a fine of $4,000. Aggravated cruelty would have been defined as malicious and intentional mistreatment, torture or cruel treatment resulting in the serious injury, illness or death of a (Continued on page 21)
|
|
