PIERRE, S.D. (KELO AM) State House Speaker Mark Mickelson of Sioux Falls sent two versions to the State Attorney General of his proposed ballot measure to raise the tobacco tax in South Dakota, but Mickelson is going with the higher version.
State Attorney General Marty Jackley on Tuesday released AG explanations for both versions.
One would raise the tax up to 62 cents a pack of cigarettes. The second version would raise the tax by up to a $1.25 a pack. Mickelson says his backers will focus on getting enough petition signatures to get the higher version on the ballot next year for South Dakota voters.
He says the increase is needed to make tech schools more competitive with surrounding states.
"The technical institutes have a need, so we need to raise more money, so we are going to go with the higher amount," Mickelson explains to KELO.COM News.
He says if voters approve the tobacco hike, it would almost double the amount of funding for South Dakota tech schools. The current situation is a real challenge.
"Unfortunately, the cost of going to a technical school in South Dakota is double the cost in Nebraska, and it's the third highest in the country."
Jackley has now provided explanations for 16 proposed 2018 ballot measures on everything from legalizing marijuana to changing campaign finance and lobbying laws. Backers now must hustle thousands of petition signatures to get their measures before the voters next year.