Gov. Kristi Noem will not put her signature on legislation that would increases a tourism tax on some hotel stays in South Dakota.

The governor’s office announced Thursday that House Bill 1109 has been vetoed. The measure would have doubled the amount local jurisdictions can collect from hotel stays.

Backers of the bill say the increased tourism tax — also described as a fee — is necessary for South Dakota’s visitors industry to keep up in a competitive marketing environment.

But Noem is not convinced.

“Proponents also made the argument that cities in other states are charging these higher taxes. That shouldn’t dictate what we do in South Dakota,” the governor wrote in a formal letter alerting the Legislature of her veto. “When South Dakota competes on tax rates, we should compete to be lower — not higher.”

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