The No on 15 Committee was in Rapid City on Wednesday, laying out their opposition to Initiated Measure 15. That measure would raise the state sales tax from four to five percent, with the money being split evenly between K-12 education and Medicaid.

Shawn Lyons says, "Our concern is that the measure is a permanent $180 million sales tax increase that's really only being directed at two groups. And it really circumvents the process we go through each and every year at the legislature to talk about not just the needs of these two groups, but all the needs of South Dakota, whether it be public safety or public education, infrastructure. All of the needs, not just two groups."

The group that got the measure on the ballot, Moving South Dakota Forward, has been taking their case to the airwaves. They say the tax hike is necessary due to state budget cuts, and they say the kids of South Dakota are the bottom line.

Andy Wiese says, "One of the best investments that we can make among all groups, businessmen, fathers, parents is investing in our kids and making sure that our seniors have quality healthcare when they need it."

As far as the concern about the tax hike being permanent, Wiese says the cuts made in Pierre are permanent too.

-Jack Caudill