PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- There are seven ballot measures on South Dakota’s Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot. One of them is Initiated Measure 28.

Supporters of IM28 say it would eliminate the state’s 4.2% portion of the sales tax charged on most things sold for human consumption, but municipalities’ tax stream wouldn’t be affected. Opponents of IM28, however, say the verbiage of the measure is unclear so there’s a chance municipalities could lose that revenue stream.

District 24 Representative Will Mortenson of Fort Pierre calls the measure “a dramatic tax cut with absolutely no budget plan.”

South Dakota Municipal League Executive Director Sara Rankin says the ballot explanation doesn’t say that municipalities would lose that revenue stream….but it also doesn’t say that they would not lose it.

If towns are allowed to continue charging their sales tax rate, Rankin says that leads to logistical issues.

The Attorney General’s Office provides a neutral, unbiased explanations for each of the ballot measures under the “2024 Ballot Questions” option at sdsos.gov. The same pamphlet does also include information supplied by proponents and opponents.