David Montgomery

PIERRE — Gov. Mike Rounds accused legislators Thursday of lacking the “guts” to raise revenues for popular programs facing cuts this year.

In a conference with a group of South Dakota reporters, editors and publishers, Rounds defended his proposed budget, challenging legislators to either accept deep cuts or raise taxes. In a wide-ranging discussion, Rounds also said he is opposed to a law being discussed which would make all records public except for certain exempted categories.

David Montgomery | Capital Journal Gov. Mike Rounds defends his budget proposals Thursday afternoon in a meeting with newspaper reporters, editors and publishers from across the state. Advertisement

Under criticism by some present Thursday for his proposal to eliminate the division of arts, Rounds said he proposed drastic cuts because he believes the current Legislature will never approve a tax increase, which requires a two-thirds majority.

Rounds has refused to propose a tax increase himself but has suggested he might go along with one if legislators proposed it and defended it to their constituents.

“My message has been, if you want the program, then have the guts to fund it right,” Rounds said. “I don’t think this legislative body has got the coordination to do a two-thirds vote for a revenue increase.”

Rounds said because of opposition to tax increases, he limited his proposals for increasing revenue only to those bills which require a simple majority to pass, such as eliminating exemptions in existing taxes or raising fees.

Rounds also said legislators would probably use a tax increase to fund new programs instead of simply preserving existing programs, which he said he opposes.

He blamed legislators for being unable to restrain spending, saying lawmakers would only vote for a tax increase if they could show constituents new programs paid for by the increased revenue.

“If they did (pass a tax increase), they couldn’t spend all the money,” he said. “They have to put it back in and say, ‘I had to raise your taxes but it’s just to pay for the stuff that I’m already providing for you and that I’ve already delivered to you.’ That’s going to be a very difficult thing for this legislative body to do.”