Lawmakers push back on TenHaken’s criticisms about property tax

State rep: 'This is the problem when you have marketing people running city government'

Mayor Paul TenHaken’s blunt comments blaming lawmakers – and in particular Sioux Falls lawmakers – for capping property taxes aren’t sitting well with legislators who say they were responding to the needs of their constituents.

TenHaken singled out lawmakers for Senate Bill 216, Gov. Larry Rhoden’s law that restricts cities and counties from property tax growth by 3 percent of total assessed value in the next five years. That bill restrains Sioux Falls’ finances even though the city’s growth more than exceeds the 3 percent cap.

Mayor TenHaken's final budget cuts spending for second consecutive year