SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

South Dakota for the most part had a very wet fall, the ground is saturated. Winter snowfalls have been high and wet. March is historically the month with the highest snowfall and then there is the possibility of spring rains. Meteorologists are predicting flooding and perhaps heavy flooding in South Dakota.

If the melt is not slow we might expect sustained and heavy flooding. Associated Press writer, Chet Brokaw, covers the situation extensively in this report. Extensive flooding will take a heavy toll on infrastructure. Expect damage and loss of bridges, county and township roads and well as state highways. Raging water knows few boundaries, besides public property, there will be loss to personal and business property as well. Hopefully loss of life can be avoided but remains a tragic possibility.

Governor Rounds is suggesting a temporary increase in taxes might be needed. The revenues from this tax would be used as the State and Local match for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds that would be available upon the State or specified Counties being declared a Disaster Area. Factor the fact that the State is broke and there has been little suggestion to raise taxes to meet budget shortfalls. To the contrary there is little appetite to raise taxes during tough economic times.

There are some interesting politics ahead. As background: The Legislature is heavily anti tax and our State Constitution requires a two-thirds voted to enact a tax increase. The Governor recognizes this. That is why he is pre educating the Legislature and the Public about the possibility he might ask for what is now (pre flooding) what is probably thought to be an unnecessary tax. The Governor said, “There is a possibility we may very well have to go back to the Legislature and ask for additional revenue.”

It is hard to know at this point that he will ask for the tax, rather wait for the flooding and for the Legislature to return for Veto Days in late March. Hence the Gov’s statement, “If they have their high-water waders on, it’s a lot easier to start thinking about revenues.”

Once the floods come, the Legislator will create a torrent of there own in overwhelmingly passing the necessary revenue improvements (don’t you just hate the T word?). Taxes just are not that hard to enact when there is a specific identifiable need.

Endbar – Flood damage is easily recognized and well understood. Too bad that unmaintained highways are harder to see and understand. I guess we won’t provide the resources to maintain our roads until like the floods they are broken beyond reasonable repair.