Kristi Noem on Tax Reform

	Kristi Noem on Tax Reform

What to do with surplus? My answer is simple: cut taxes

Together, we must continue to build and advance the American Dream. And this legislative session, we will accomplish that. We will accomplish it by cutting taxes for our people. We continue to have record surpluses. What should we do with our surplus? My answer is simple: Cut taxes and provide relief to South Dakotans. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature , Jan 10, 2023

Repeal state's 4.5% tax on food sales

Noem claimed the state has the "strongest economy" in the nation, crediting her decision to forgo government restrictions during the pandemic. But she also turned attention to the squeeze that inflation is putting on household budgets. She said she hears from many people who are "struggling because they can't pay their grocery bill. They're struggling because they can't pay gas prices." Earlier this week, she promised to push for repeal of the state's 4.5% tax on food sales.

But Smith was quick to point out that was an initiative he has been pushing for years, and when the House passed the proposal in March, support from Noem was lacking. Noem publicly opposed the proposal after the state Senate dismissed it in March, but she said [in the debate] that it was an idea she supported and her office had been working on it.

Recently, South Dakota's economic growth has lagged behind the rest of the country. Last year, it had the 15th lowest growth in GDP among states.

Source: US News and World Report on 2022 South Dakota Governor race , Oct 1, 2022

The taxes we have are stable and predictable, no increases

We don't have a corporate income tax. There is no business inventory tax. We have no personal income tax. We also do not have a personal property tax or an inheritance tax. The taxes that we do have to fund state government are stable and predictable. In short, for those who might be worried about tax increases, you do not need to be. The government in South Dakota lives within its means. We balance our budget without accounting gimmicks or tricks. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature , Jan 12, 2021

No state income tax; committed to keeping it that way

We don't have a corporate income tax. There's no business inventory tax. We are one of the few remaining states with no personal income tax--and I am committed to keeping it that way. We don't burden our citizens with a personal property tax or an inheritance tax. In addition to my commitment to not raising taxes, our constitution requires a 2/3rd vote in both chambers to raise taxes. If you're worried about tax increases, you needn't be--your business is safe here. Source: 2020 South Dakota State of the State address , Jan 14, 2020

Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes.

Noem signed Americans for Tax Reform "Taxpayer Protection Pledge"

Politicians often run for office saying they won`t raise taxes, but then quickly turn their backs on the taxpayer. The idea of the Pledge is simple enough: Make them put their no-new-taxes rhetoric in writing.

In the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents solemnly bind themselves to oppose any and all tax increases. While ATR has the role of promoting and monitoring the Pledge, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is actually made to a candidate`s constituents, who are entitled to know where candidates stand before sending them to the capitol. Since the Pledge is a prerequisite for many voters, it is considered binding as long as an individual holds the office for which he or she signed the Pledge.

Since its rollout with the endorsement of President Reagan in 1986, the pledge has become de rigeur for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts.

Source: Americans for Tax Reform "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" 10-ATR on Aug 12, 2010

Opposes both marriage penalty & federal tax increases.

Noem opposes the CC survey questions on increasing taxes

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

Increase in federal income tax rates
Elimination of the federal marriage tax penalty [vs. keeping the federal marriage tax penalty]

Source: Christian Coalition Survey 10-CC-q11 on Aug 11, 2010

Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

Noem signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge against raising taxes

[The ATR, Americans for Tax Reform, run by conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist, ask legislators to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in each election cycle. Their self-description:]

In the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents solemnly bind themselves to oppose any and all tax increases. Since its rollout in 1986, the pledge has become de rigeur for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts. Today the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is offered to every candidate for state office and to all incumbents. More than 1,100 state officeholders, from state representative to governor, have signed the Pledge.

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge: `I pledge to the taxpayers of my district and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.`

Opponents` Opinion (from wikipedia.com):In Nov. 2011, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) claimed that Congressional Republicans `are being led like puppets by Grover Norquist. They`re giving speeches that we should compromise on our deficit, but never do they compromise on Grover Norquist. He is their leader.` Since Norquist`s pledge binds signatories to opposing deficit reduction agreements that include any element of increased tax revenue, some Republican deficit hawks now retired from office have stated that Norquist has become an obstacle to deficit reduction. Former Republican Senator Alan Simpson, co-chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, has been particularly critical, describing Norquist`s position as `no taxes, under any situation, even if your country goes to hell.`

Source: Taxpayer Protection Pledge 12-ATR on Jan 1, 2012

Death Tax is a pernicious double tax.

Noem voted YEA Death Tax Repeal Act

Heritage Action Summary: This bill would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as cut the top gift tax rate.

Heritage Foundation recommendation to vote YES: (4/16/2015): Collectively, these measures repeal the pernicious double tax known as the `death tax,` and result in a tax cut of $269 billion over 10 years. The death tax hurts economic growth and therefore limits the ability of Americans to prosper. Repealing the death tax would generate an average of 18,000 jobs annually and increase the overall net worth of American households by $300 billion a year. The federal government should encourage, not punish, Americans who work and pay taxes their whole lives, save enough to support themselves through retirement, and retain the ability to fulfill the American Dream by passing along a better life to their children.

Secretary of Labor Robert Reich recommendation to vote YES: (robertreich.org 6/4/2015): At a time of historic economic inequality, it should be a no-brainer to raise a tax on inherited wealth for the very rich. Yet there`s a move among some members of Congress to abolish it altogether. Today the estate tax reaches only the richest 2/10 of 1%, and applies only to dollars in excess of $10.86 million for married couples or $5.43 million for individuals. That means if a couple leaves to their heirs $10,860,001, they now pay the estate tax on $1. The current estate tax rate is 40%, so that would be 40 cents. Yet according to these members of Congress, that`s still too much. Our democracy`s Founding Fathers did not want a privileged aristocracy. Yet that`s the direction we`re going in. The tax on inherited wealth is one of the major bulwarks against it. That tax should be increased and strengthened.

Legislative outcome: Passed by the House 240-179-12; never came to vote in Senate.

Source: Congressional vote 15-H1105 on Apr 16, 2015

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