SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) South Dakota House Speaker Mark Mickelson of Sioux Falls supports a dramatic hike in the tobacco tax to help bring down costs at the state's tech schools.
The Republican tells KELO Radio's It's Your Business Show with Bill Zortman that South Dakota must become more competitive with surrounding states.
"Just trying to buy down the cost of tutition and fees for every tech school student to make us a little bit more competitive in the region."
The Argus Leader reports that Mickelson's proposed ballot measures would increase the tax on cigarettes as high as 20 percent. Mickelson has submitted his proposals to the Secretary of State's Office in Pierre.
