South Dakota Supreme Court rules that lieutenant governors can break Senate ties
Gov. Larry Rhoden asked for opinion after Senate blocked Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen from breaking ties
PIERRE – The South Dakota Constitution enables the lieutenant governor to break ties on legislative votes in the Senate, the Supreme Court said Wednesday in an advisory opinion.
The Court issued the opinion after Gov. Larry Rhoden asked for its guidance following a tie vote on a bill Jan. 25. Following the 17-17 vote, Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen declared that the bill had passed by virtue of his support. But the next day, Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr raised a point of order expressing doubt on Venhuizen’s constitutional authority to vote in ties.
The Senate voted to support Karr’s challenge.
Senate fails to lift sales tax sunset amid debate about revenues, property tax reform
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PIERRE – An effort to remove a state sales tax sunset that kicks in next year fell short by the narrowest of votes Tuesday, tying 17-17.
