Broadcaster Press 9 March 28, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com Tax Reform That Works For Hardworking Americans By Sen. John Thune To understand why the economy was such a big issue in the 2016 elections, we need look no further than the fact that Americans have basically not had a raise in eight years. Thanks in large part to a sluggish economy, real wage growth has averaged a paltry 0.25% per year since the recovery began in 2009. Over the eight years of the Obama Administration, yearly economic growth averaged just under 1.5%. That’s far behind the average of other post-1960 recoveries, and things are not improving. Right now, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is projecting average growth of just 2% for each of the next 10 years. In other words, we’re looking at long-term economic stagnation. But there’s good news. Stronger economic growth is within our reach, but it’s going to require some changes in Washington. One of the most important of those changes is reforming our broken tax code, which has become a constant drag on economic growth. Under our current tax code, some corporations benefit from special rules, deductions and credits, while others are forced to pay the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world. Our tax code puts American businesses at a competitive disadvantage—leading many companies to move overseas. And if they move, American jobs often go overseas with them. Meanwhile, small businesses aren’t creating new jobs because they’re struggling under a combination of high tax rates and burdensome regulations. This, of course, has real consequences for American workers. It’s difficult to find a job when new businesses are not starting and existing businesses are not expanding, or when the tax code encourages businesses to create jobs abroad instead of here at home. Real tax reform is long overdue, and Republicans are committed to enacting a bill this year. So what should tax reform look like? For businesses, tax reform needs to accomplish several goals. First, it needs to make sure that U.S. companies are competitive in the global marketplace and aren’t being forced to move overseas. A large part of that will involve lowering our nation’s excessive corporate tax rate, moving to a more competitive international tax system to level the playing field for U.S. companies, and allowing businesses to benefit from their capital investments faster. We also need to make sure that startup businesses aren’t choked off by our tax system before they’ve even had a chance to get off the ground. Above all, small businesses and family farms, which are often forgotten when we talk about tax reform, must be a priority. These Main Street businesses are responsible for substantial new job growth in this country and a tremendous amount of innovation. Despite this, taxes are frequently more burdensome for them than for some corporations. Any meaningful tax reform has to address this disparity. Getting our economy growing again at a healthy rate is one of the most important things we can do to help Americans who have been left behind in this economy. Economic growth means job growth. It means wage growth. It means opportunity growth. An increase of just one percentage point in projected economic growth for the next 10 years would have significant results for hardworking Americans. Average incomes would increase by an estimated $4,200. We would see an estimated 1.2 million more jobs. And the standard of living would double twice as fast. Tax reform can help us get there. In addition to freeing up businesses to grow and create jobs, another key part of tax reform is providing tax relief for individuals and families. Families’ tax burdens are too high, and rates need to come down. It’s also important that our tax code recognizes the financial challenges of parenthood and lends a hand to moms and dads doing the tough job of raising the next generation. Through a combination of lower rates and greater economic growth, we can ensure that hardworking families have the resources to do more than live paycheck to paycheck, as so many are doing right now. Finally, any tax reform must substantially simplify the tax system. We cannot afford to undo the economic benefits of tax reform by forcing individuals and employers to waste billions of hours and spend billions of dollars to comply with the tax code, as is the case today. That time and money should go back into our small businesses and back to families for things like education and retirement savings. We have a real opportunity this year to reform our tax system so that it benefits all Americans and supports, not hinders, economic growth. Republicans in Congress are committed to working with Democrats to finalize a comprehensive bill. Hardworking taxpayers deserve a system that works for them and allows our country to compete and win. That’s the kind of tax code we plan to give them. Weekly Column: Need Help With a Federal Agency? USD Students Research Clay County Fallen Heroes Give us a Call By Sen. Mike Rounds In the United States Senate, much of our time is focused on crafting and debating legislation, attending committee meetings and making sure federal policies are working for South Dakota families. But we also spend a great deal of time helping South Dakotans who are having difficulties dealing with a federal agency. It is a lesser-known but equally-important service that allows us to act as a liaison between you and the federal government. Washington is so broken and our federal bureaucracy has grown so large that individual needs of American citizens are too often lost in a sea of red tape. Our goal is to work with federal agencies to identify your issue and fix it. Over the past two years, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on behalf of South Dakota veterans has been the most common situation we’re asked to help with. We have assisted countless South Dakota veterans navigate the Veterans Choice Act and other VA programs here in South Dakota, while simultaneously seeking changes to federal policy that will improve the care they receive under the current law. We also work frequently with the VA to obtain overdue medals and awards for veterans and their families. I have been able to present a few of those medals to South Dakota veterans firsthand as I’ve traveled around the state. It is a very special honor to recognize these vets, with their family and friends in attendance, and say thank you to them for their service to our country. In addition to helping veterans get the benefits and services they have been promised, we have also been able to bring families together by helping individuals get visas or expedited passports. We also help people access social security benefits, file tax returns, work with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and make sure that federal agencies are treating citizens fairly and with the respect and attention they deserve. I am very proud of the work we are doing to help South Dakotans who feel like they have been left behind by the federal government and have nowhere else to turn. Our South Dakota offices are located in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City and Aberdeen. Our staff members who handle casework are available every week day, either in person, by phone or by email. You can find the contact information for our offices on my website, www.rounds. senate.gov. My team works closely together across the state and in Washington, and we strive to provide a timely response to everyone who contacts us, particularly if it is an urgent matter in which we are able to intervene. We take our work on behalf of South Dakotans very seriously, and I am pleased that we’ve been able to help so many constituents already since setting up our office two years ago. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are experiencing difficulty dealing with a federal agency. We are here to help. VERMILLION, S.D. – University of South Dakota School of Education students will present research findings to representatives of the Vermillion Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3061 and American Legion for a project called “Clay County’s Fallen” on Wednesday, March 29. The project, sponsored by the Vermillion VFW 3061, involved 20 students in 7-12 Social Science Methods researching and writing a biography about the life of a fallen veteran from Clay County. Students researched fallen heroes from the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War eras. “I can tell the students are connected with their fallen hero and are inspired by this project which they hope to implement into their future classrooms,” said Jing Williams, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction. The top five presentations will win a cash prize. The first place winner will be invited to speak at the Memorial Day Observance in Vermillion on May 29. All participating students will be invited to attend the ceremony. Find the right job for you! Check Out The Broadcaster Help Wanted Section! 201 W Cherry Vermillion 624-4429 le ilab al Grants Ava is Remov Debr If You Read This... You Know Advertising Pays! Call the Broadcaster at 605-624-4429 or stop by to place your ad today! LAND 149.49+/- Acres - Yankton Co SD Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 11:00am Auction Location: On Site Located approximately 10 miles east of Yankton, this farm has 147.8 tillable acres with majority Class I Lakeport silty clay loam and Class II Forney silty clay loam soils with an overall Productivity Index of .745! Offering convenient access on both sides of the road, the balance of this farm is made up of a road and the Clay Creek Drainage Ditch running through the property. The Advantage this farm offers is great, with a high percentage tillable, strong soils, the valuable access of the drainage ditch and eye appeal all in a known agricultural area. Put this farm to work for you in 2017 as farms of this caliber are rarely offered on the open market! Call today for a brochure! Partial Terms: Sold as is. Announcements made day of sale take precedence over all written material. Subject to buyer premium and seller con?irmation. Partial Legal: NW4SE4; SW4NE4, SE4NW4 & NE4SW4 exc Bertrand’s Addition, all in Sec 34-T94N-R54W Volin Twp, Yankton Co, S.D. Land Location: From Yankton: 6 miles E on Hwy 50, 2 miles N on 448 Ave (blacktop), 1.75 miles E on 309 St (blacktop), 1/4 mile N on 450 Ave, land is on both sides. Attention Farmers & Investors! 201 West Cherry St Vermillion, SD 624-4429 AUCTION The TLC Water Project District is Accepting applications for cost share assistance for Tree debris removal from the Vermillion River. AdvantageLandCo.com 605.692.2525 Owner: Kurt & Lynn Spaugh Jackson Hegerfeld, LB, Auctioneer Megan Hammond, LB, Auctioneer Charles Hegerfeld, Broker Assoc. Laura Hegerfeld, Broker Assoc. 510 Main Ave Brookings, SD E X P O S E Y O U R D I R T sm Spring Farm Machinery Consignment Please call or email for information and application tlcwpd@hotmail.com 605-530-2503 cell • 605-563-2423 office Application deadline – April 1st Rural Property For Rent Location: From Beresford – Take I-29 south 9 miles to Volin exit and go ½ mile east, 1 mile south, 2 miles east and ¾ mile south; From Alcester Steak House – 5 miles south, 6 miles west and ¾ mile south; From Vermillion and Elk Point – Take I-29 north to Akron exit, 2 ½ miles east to Spink and 5 ¼ miles north; Property is located 1 ¼ miles east of eastern edge of Union Grove Park Horse Camp on low maintenance dirt road; 1 ¼ miles east of Birdsong Winery on low maintenance dirt road; 1 ½ miles southeast of Roseni Church. OPEN HOUSE & Tag Sale Thursday, April 13th April 1st and 2nd, 9am - 5pm Consignments are now being accepted from the public. Tractors, Equipment, Livestock Equipment, Vehicles, Trucks, Trailers, RV’s, Campers, Boats, ATV’s, Firearms and more. Home and out building on approximately 5 acres. Tag Sale of horse equipment/ miscellaneous on same days. Home has 3 bedrooms, bath and kitchen with all appliances. Ground level main floor. Basement with new furnace, shower and toilet. 24’ x 24’ garage and shop area under the bedrooms (very nice unit). at the Girard Auction Facilities, Wakonda, SD No more consignments of small items being accepted—we are full on small items! 2 Estates and a Retirement dispersal already consigned. Call 605-267-221 to consign or Email mike@girardauction.com with listing and photos. GIRARD AUCTION & LAND BROKERS, INC. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com Two Day Tag Sale of Horse Equipment and Miscellaneous – April 1st and 2nd Two 15” Herford roping saddles, pads, blankets, ropes, spurs, saddle stands and breast collars Pony cart and harness – cart has 13” car tires. Many more harnesses, halters, bridles and miscellaneous. Also 3 nice wool rugs and pictures, 2012 Kinko 125cc, like new scooter, Honda 200 Warrior Baja wide tire bike, 1997 Arctic Cat 1600 snowmobile, low miles, 2012 Utility trailer, 5’ x 8’, like new. Dave Inberg 30775 473rd Ave. Beresford, SD 57004 • (605)253-2290