HURON, S.D. – At the 109th South Dakota Farmer’s Union (SDFU) Convention held this week, a checklist of issues has been gone through as the organization sets policy for 2025.
Among them are anticompetitive practices in livestock markets, eminent domain, supporting a competition title in the next Farm Bill, ballot measures against meatpacking facilities that are cropping up in other states, and addressing childcare shortages in rural communities.
Making the short list is property tax reform. A well represented panel is leading a discussion titled “Balancing the Scales: Property Tax & Economic Growth,” at this years convention. Doug Sombke, president of SDFU says it’s well past time for a solution.
Sombke says property tax reform isn’t just an issue with ranchers and farmers.
Such a complex issue that has dogged state lawmakers, organizations and citizens for decades is proving to be just as elusive as it was in Sombke’s early days as a farmer/lobbyist. But he’s convinced there is a way forward to realize meaningful and equitable property tax reform.
South Dakota Farmers Union is the states largest member agriculture organization. For more information, go online to SDFU.org
