2 Broadcaster Press March 8, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com A Victory For South Dakota’s Children Famed Quartet Present by Gov. Dennis Daugaard: This week, the South Dakota State Legislature gave final passage to House Bill 1182. This important legislation directs approximately $70 million to significant pay increases for our public school teachers, as well as instructors at the state’s technical institutes. The bill also directs nearly $40 million to property tax relief. I proposed this bill in response to the report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. Over the past year, the task force undertook an extensive process of seeking public input, analyzing data and crafting policy proposals. The task force concluded that South Dakota needed to take bold action, this year, to avoid a teacher shortage. That required new money to increase teacher pay. Great schools require great teachers and this plan will allow our state to re- cruit the next generation of great teachers. Our state will increase our salaries to be competitive with surrounding states, and South Dakota teachers will no longer be paid 51st in the nation. Two other bills are a part of this package. Senate Bill 131 reforms our school funding formula to increase transparency and accountability. The new formula will be based on a statewide target average teacher salary of $48,500 and on target student-toteacher ratios for each school. This bill also makes other important reforms, including the imposition of caps on school reserve funds and new limits on the growth of property taxes for capital outlay. It is important that, as we make a significant investment of new money into schools, we also ensure that the funding formula furthers our goal of providing an excellent education to Renaissance Mini-Concert For Kids every young person in this state. Senate Bill 133 encourages schools to become more efficient by creating new opportunities for schools to share resources and to use services such as the e-Learning Center at Northern State. Creating efficiency allows schools to focus more funding on teacher salaries. The bill also makes it easier for certified teachers in other states to come to South Dakota. All three bills are important. South Dakota is increasing teacher pay, making our funding formula more transparent and fair, and making schools more efficient. House Bill 1182 was adopted by a bipartisan coalition in each house, passing with a two-thirds vote and a majority of Republicans and DemoThe Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library will host crats. It represents the strong support a performance of Renaissance music by famed quartet of all South Dakotans for our schools. Ayreheart on Friday, March 18th at 10:30 am, to celebrate the Shakespeare Folio exhibition at the National Music Museum. Children of any age, and caregivers, are welcome to attend this mini-concert aiming to introduce children to the music of Shakespeare’s time. The quartet, composed of members Ronn McFarlane, Brian Kay, Will Morris, and Mattias Rucht, performs Renaissance concerts with voice, two lutes, colascione (a kind of bass lute) and hand percussion. These historically informed concerts give a glimpse into the lute’s past, and the expressiveness that prompted Renaissance writers to call the lute “The Prince of Instruments.” This March, one of the most valuable books in history — the Shakespeare First Folio — will arrive at the National Music Museum on the campus of the University of South Dakota, in Vermillion. The historic 17th-century volume will be on view March 7 - April 2, 2016, within a special multi-panel, interactive display. The Folger Library traveling exhibit, titled First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare, will also ignite a series of Shakespeare-related events in the Vermillion community. Concerts, movies, lectures, and family events are planned. All will be free to the public — including admission to the National Music Museum itself during the 27 days of the First Folio exhibition at USD. The First Folio is the first complete collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623, seven years after the playwright’s death. Compiled by two of Shakespeare’s fellow actors, John Heminge and Henry Condell, the book preserves 36 of Shakespeare’s plays. Without it, we would not have 18 of those plays, including Macbeth and The Tempest. One of the most valuable printed books in the world, a First Folio sold for $6.2 million in 2001 at Christie’s and another for $5.2 million in 2006 in London. It originally sold for one British pound (20 shillings) — about $200 today. There are 233 known copies in the world today, with 82 copies held will be able to continue completing your by the Folger Shakespeare Library. application. For more information, and to reserve a spot for the For more information, visit www.socialperformance, please contact the library Circulation Desk at security.gov. Question: 677.7060. The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library is What is full retirement age? located at 18 Church Street in Vermillion. YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT STATEMENT By Tyler Bowling Public Affairs Specialist – State of South Dakota It’s that time of year again: time to start preparing to file your taxes. If you receive Social Security benefits, one of the documents you will need when filing your federal income tax return is your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099). Your Social Security benefits may be taxable. This includes monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. About onethird of people receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of these benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income — such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return — in addition to your Social Security benefits. You will never have to pay taxes on more than 85 percent of your Social Security benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. To find out if you must pay taxes on your benefits, you will need your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA1099). You should automatically receive your 1099 form each January. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return. The 1099 form is not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as SSI payments are not taxable. Whether you file your taxes early or wait until the deadline, Social Security makes it easy to obtain a replacement 1099 form if you did not receive one or misplaced yours. You can get an instant replacement quickly and easily by using your secure online my Social Security account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one in minutes. Follow the link to the my Social Security page, and go to “Sign In” or “Create an Account.” Once you are logged in, select the “Replacement Documents” tab to obtain your replacement 1099 form. If you create a my Social Security account, you can also use it to keep track of your earnings each year, manage your benefits, and more. You can also obtain a replacement 1099 form by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by contacting your local Social Security office. If you live outside of the United States, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. With a, my Social Security account, gathering your Social Security information for tax season has never been easier. Open your own personal my Social Security account today at www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount. Question: My husband and I are both entitled to our own Social Security benefits. Will our combined benefits be reduced because we are married? Answer: No, when each member of a married couple works in employment covered under Social Security and both meet all other eligibility requirements to receive retirement benefits, lifetime earnings are calculated independently to determine the benefit amounts. Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. If one member of the couple earned substantially less than the other or did not earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. RETIREMENT Question: How do I return to an online application for retirement benefits that I already started but didn’t finish? Answer: You should have received a “Re-entry Number” when you initially started the application. You will need st the “Re-entry Number” to get back into your application. Follow these steps to return to your application: Go back to the online application at www.socialsecurity. gov/retire/apply.html. Any appeals MUST be On the first page of the application, click submitted in writing, on “Return to Saved Application Process.” postmarked no later than Enter your “Re-entry Number” and Social March 17th, 2016 Security number. You Pleasant Valley Township Board of Equalization Meeting March 21 , 7:00 pm Brandi Johnson Residence 30630 Frog Creek Rd. Wakonda, SD 57073 Answer: Full retirement age is the age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced retirement benefits. Your full retirement age depends on your date of birth. For people born before 1938, it’s 65. For those born after 1959, it’s 67. If your birthday falls between 1938 and 1959, your full retirement age is between 65 and 67. (The age for Medicare eligibility is 65, regardless of when you were born.) For more informaThe Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for everytion, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ one to celebrate the arrival of spring by planting trees. planners/retire/retirechart.html. Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March and Receive 10 Free Trees DISABILITY Question: How long does it take to get a decision after I apply for disability benefits? Answer: The time it takes to get a decision on your disability application can vary depending on: The nature of your disability. How quickly we can get your medical evidence from your doctor or other medical source Whether it is necessary to send you for a medical examination. Whether we review your application for quality purposes. If you would like to apply for disability benefits, you can use our online application. Applying online for disability benefits offers several advantages: You can start your disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment. You can apply from the convenience of your home, or on any computer. You can avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. Income Producing Real Estate Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March 2016 and receive 10 free white pine trees. “White pines are versatile trees that will break heavy winds and add beauty to your home,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These fastgrowing landscape trees are known for their soft needles and graceful branching, making them an ideal addition to any yard.” The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign. With planting instructions included, the trees will be shipped at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to Arbor Day, the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE WHITE PINE TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410, by March 31, 2016. Or join online at arborday.org/march. •ATTENTION• The Garfield Board of Supervisors will meet as a Board of Equalization at the Marshalltown School Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 at 7 p.m. Please call 605-253-2524 for an appointment. Duplex at 710 Douglas St, Yankton, SD Wednesday March 30th, 6:00 p.m. Open House: Thursday March 17th, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Due to current leases, the only inspections of the property will be allowed at the open house or 1-hour prior to the auction. ' 3 HDGOLQHV Classified Ads: Friday at Noon Display Ads: Friday at 11AM Jim Danielson, Clerk Machinery & Construction Consignment Legal: Lot 5, Block 7, Lower Yankton, Yankton County, SD. 2015 Taxes $1,377.84. This duplex is made from an older, 2-story home. Lower lever unit is a 2-Bedroom, 1-bath. Includes Natural Gas heat, new duct work, 2 Window AC units, refrigerator, stove, and more. Water heater and stove are 3-years old. Currently rents for $450 per month on a month-to-month lease. Upper level unit is a 1-bedroom, 1-bath. It includes a bedroom with walk-in closet, living room with closet, bathroom with claw foot tub, and kitchenette with dining area; also natural gas heat and window AC. Currently rents for $375 per month on a moth-to-month lease. This property sits on a very nice, divided street and is just steps away from Yankton’s walking & biking trail. An excellent opportunity for a beginning investor or for anyone looking for a solid investment in real estate. Terms: ’$5,000 non-refundable down payment due the day of auction with the balance due on closing. Title Insurance & Closing costs split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Taxes prorated to the day of closing. Yankton County Title Co.—Closing agent. Sold subject to current leases. Auctioneer’s are acting as agents for the seller. Gary & Shelia Beach, Owner GIRARD AUCTION & LAND BROKERS, INC. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 MARV GIRARD, BA; KEN GIRARD, CAI, AARE; MIKE GIRARD, CAI, BA; SCOTT MOORE, AUCTIONEER www.GirardAuction.com Thursday, March 24th at 10:30am Located: Girard Auction Facilities, Wakonda, SD EARLY LISTING INCLUDES: Construction Equipment: 2005 Kamatsu DB-140, extend a hoe backhoe, 4x4, grapple, 1700 act hrs; Cat 130-6 Motorgrader; 2 – 2011 cargo trailers (7x16 & 7x18) excellent; Vehicles- Boats – Rangers: 2010 Ranger 800 crew, low miles; 2011 Polaris Sportsman 550, Polaris 500 4x4; 17ft Sylvan Viper w 115 Mercury – loaded-nice; 14ft alum boat; sev. pickups; Tractors & Collectible Tractors: JD 4020 PS w JD loader; JD 9500 combine; 1967 AC 190 XT, nf, rare; MF 65D w loader; B Farmall w belly mower; C Farmall w belly mower; Case 400; 2 – JD 4010 diesels; IH W9; 2 – IH A; IH B; IH C; H Farmall; IH A w belly mower; Equipment: L600 Rounder skidloader; swathers, planters; cultivators; rakes; grain cart; lawn & garden equipment; 20+ new skidloader attachments; new continuous fence; sev cattle panels & posts; Watch next week’s paper for full ad. Still time to advertise – call now to consign! 605-267-2421 GIRARD AUCTION & LAND BROKERS, INC. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com