Bit by His Own Dog: Karr Loses Permanent Sales Tax Reduction on Venhuizen’s Non-Vote

Bit by His Own Dog: Karr Loses Permanent Sales Tax Reduction on Venhuizen’s Non-Vote

I hate to lead a policy story with what can be read as a personal tussle, but when that personal tussle is expressed in disagreement over parliamentary procedure, I can’t resist. Three weeks ago, Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr (R-11/Sioux Falls) flipped a mean parliamentary bird at Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen by challenging Venhuizen’s exercise of his power as Senate President to cast tie-breaking votes on final passage of legisl…

Tie vote stalls permanent sales tax reduction effort as proposed sales tax increase advances

The South Dakota Senate meets on Feb. 11, 2026, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)Two contradictory bills met different fates on Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre as South Dakota lawmakers continued to wrestle with the best way to provide tax relief. A bill that would keep South Dakota’s sales tax at its temporarily reduced rate stalled in the Senate with a 17-17 tie vote that the lieutenant governor did …

Tie Vote Stalls Permanent SD Sales Tax Reduction Effort

Two contradictory bills met different fates on Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre as South Dakota lawmakers continued to wrestle with the best way to provide tax relief.