4 Broadcaster Press May 23, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com Dave Says Mortgage For The Deduction? Dear Dave, My wife and I are looking at buying a new home. We’ve been really blessed with our finances, and we’re at a point where we can pay cash for a new house and still have plenty of money in the bank. Should we do this, or is it a better idea to get a mortgage for the tax deduction? Brian Dear Brian, I think the real question is this: Why wouldn’t you pay cash if you have Dave the ability to do so? I would never advise someone to get, or keep, a mortgage just for the tax deduction, because these tax deductions are never 100 percent. Let’s pretend you had a $200,000 mortgage at five percent interest. That would be $10,000 a year in interest. If you take a $10,000 tax deduction and you’re in a 25 percent tax bracket, that would save you 25 percent of $10,000 on your tax bill — or $2,500. So, you would never send $10,000 to your mortgage company just to avoid sending $2,500 to the IRS. You don’t keep a mortgage just for the tax deduction. That’s trading a dollar for a quarter, and you don’t want to do that. Everybody thinks losing the tax deduction is an awful thing, but you could give $10,000 extra to your church — something you don’t have to be in debt to do — and get the same tax write-off. There are numerous positive aspects to staying out of debt. One big thing it does is change your risk level. It gives you a level of peace and security you’ll never have when debt is hanging over your head. All that money that was going out the door to the bank can be used to build wealth and give like never before! — Dave Ramsey You Can’t Fix It For Her Dear Dave, I paid off my house a little over a year ago, and I’m completely debt-free. That’s a good thing, because I recently had some large medical bills and I don’t have quite as much cash as usual on hand. My younger sister recently received a tax bill from the IRS for $30,000. I love her to death, but she’s extremely irresponsible with money and in debt up to her eyeballs. I know how you feel about debt, and I’ve tried to teach her how to handle money, but considering her situation — should I take out a home equity loan of $30,000 to help her? Toni Dear Toni, Absolutely not! Does that mean you don’t love her and care about her? It does not. But you told me she won’t behave with money. You don’t give money to people who won’t behave with the stuff. That kind of behavior doesn’t help anyone, and it doesn’t fix the problem. It’s like giving a drunk a drink. “Help” would be aiding this lady in changing her ways when it comes to finances. If you just give her a fish, it will stink and go bad. You have to teach her to fish. That attitude is not about being mean to her, it’s just where she is in her life. She needs to be educated, not enabled. And it doesn’t mean she’s a bad person, either. It just means you can’t endorse negative behavior or participate in her denial. Keep trying to teach her, and pray for her. Make sure, too, that she’s in contact with the IRS about a payment plan. I know she’s your little sister, but you can’t fix this one for her. Sometimes the best help you can give someone is to help them change their behavior. That way, they will hopefully learn how to carry their own weight. — Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestselling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. 23 SD Army Guard Units Receive National Superior Unit Award RAPID CITY, S.D. - Twenty-three out of 42 South Dakota Army National Guard units received the National Guard Bureau's Superior Unit Award in recognition of outstanding achievement during training year 2016. The Superior Unit Award is presented to units who meet highly-enforced military standards in the areas of personnel, training and readiness. "The South Dakota Army National Guard makes up only 9/10ths of one percent of this nation's National Guard, but we earned 66 percent of the Superior Unit Awards for training year 2016," said Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, adjutant general of the South Dakota National Guard. "This is yet another example of how the South Dakota National Guard stands head and shoulders above our contemporaries." In order to earn the SUA, units must achieve 95 percent in unit strength, monthly drill attendance, annual training attendance and weapons qualification. In addition to meeting these readiness goals, units must also achieve 90 percent in physical fitness tests and duty-qualified Soldiers. Unit admin and maintenance inspections also factor into award requirements. "We are a metrics-driven organization and paying close attention to the most important readiness metrics has earned 23 of our units the distinction of earning the coveted Superior Unit Award," said Reisch. The top award for the state went to the 147th Army Band of Mitchell, which received the Eisenhower Trophy for the most exceptional SDARNG unit. The Eisenhower Trophy is named in honor of former General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower and awarded by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the ARNG unit in each state rated the most outstanding during the training year. "To be selected from among all of the other very deserving units in the South Dakota Army National Guard is, of course, a huge honor," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Terry Beckler, 147th commander. "It's one more reason to be Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A report from the Vermillion High School commencement exercise, held Saturday, May 13, in the DakotaDome. A story about a special honor received by a Clay County deputy sheriff who serves as a school resource officer. Details about the summer reading program that will be offered at the Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library beginning June 5. And if you want to see: proud of these Soldiers. "I can't say enough about the work that all of our Soldiers put in," continued Beckler. "They show up each and every drill and work extremely hard to develop a great product. I know they want to represent the South Dakota National Guard and the Army to the best of their ability. It shows in their hard work." More than half of the SUA units are continuing consecutive years of training excellence - with four units receiving the award for the second time in a row, three units for a third straight year and five units for four consecutive years. The 211th Engineer Company has earned the SUA five years in a row and the 740th Transportation Company has received it five out of the last six years. This year's recipients of the Superior Unit Award include: • Battery A, 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion **** Aberdeen • 740th Transportation Company ** - Aberdeen and Milbank • Headquarters Company, 139th Brigade Support Battalion - Brookings • 115th Signal Company - Brookings • Headquarters Company, 153rd Engineer Battalion **** - Huron • Forward Support Company, 153rd Engineer Battalion **** - Huron and Parkston • 211th Engineer Company ***** - Madison and De Smet • 147th Army Band - Mitchell • Company B, 139th Brigade Support Battalion - Mitchell • 200th Engineer Company **** - Pierre, Chamberlain and Mobridge • Detachment 1, Company B, 1-112th Aviation Battalion - Rapid City • Detachment 5, Company C, 2-641st Aviation Battalion - Rapid City • Company C, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment - Rapid City • 82nd Civil Support Team *** - Rapid City • SDARNG Training Center *** - Rapid City • SDARNG Medical Command *** - Rapid City • 451st Engineer Detachment (Firefighters) - Rapid City • 155th Engineer Company **** - Rapid City and Wagner • 235th Military Police Company - Rapid City and Sioux Falls • 1st Battalion, 196th Regional Training Institute - Sturgis • 842nd Engineer Company ** - Spearfish, Belle Fourche and Sturgis • Headquarters Battery, 147th Field Artillery ** - Watertown • Battery B, 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion ** - Yankton ** Denotes second straight year for receiving the award. *** Denotes third straight year for receiving the award. 3.5”**** Denotes fourth straight30 pt for receiving the award. x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: year ***** Denotes fifth straight year for receiving the award. Have 403(b) Invest in your questions? Let’s talk. retirement. Curt Robinson Financial Curt Robinson Advisor . Financial 23 Market Street Advisor Patrick M Higgins Financial Advisor 23 Market Street 605-624-2028 Vermillion, SD 57069 www.edwardjones.com 605-624-2028 www.edwardjones.com By Sen. Mike Rounds Every spring, a new group of students takes a big step into the next phase of life upon graduation. Whether students are moving on from high school, college or a technical institute, each graduate has an opportunity to use his or her talents, education and determination to shape their future and begin a new journey in life. I congratulate all 2017 graduates as they step out into the world to make a mark of their own. We are fortunate in South Dakota to have good, quality grammar and high schools and more than a dozen universities and technical colleges, allowing our young people to receive a top-notch education right here at home. We are grateful for the teachers and professors across the state who dedicate their lives to educating our youth. Their commitment to education and teaching plants the seeds for a brighter, stronger South Dakota in the future. As they step out into the world, I hope this year’s graduates remember the values and lessons instilled in them by their teachers, families, communities and neighbors. When our four kids graduated high school and college, Jean and I gave them as much guidance and advice as we could, but at the end of the day, it was their responsibility to choose what they wanted to do in life and to make it happen. We are tremendously proud of the people they have become, and we are glad they have all chosen to stay right here in South Dakota to put their talents to use and raise families of their own. One of our greatest joys in life is watching them raise our grandchildren, the next generation of South Dakota students. The United States truly is the land of opportunity, and receiving an education is the first step that allows us to achieve our dreams. Graduation opens up a brand new world to discover, and I encourage graduates to explore each opportunity that comes their way. Regardless of our graduates’ next plans, I hope they will move into their next chapter with a problem-solving, kind and generous attitude about whatever happens in life. A motto that I come back to time and again, especially in my current job as a senator, is, “leave this world better off than when you entered it.” I work to do that as I represent South Dakota in the Senate and I hope that South Dakota’s young people will follow a path in life that gives them the opportunity to make this a better world for themselves and for all future generations of Americans. They have been given the tools they need to succeed; the future is now theirs to shape. South Dakota Works By Gov. Dennis Daugaard In South Dakota we have the third lowest unemployment rate in the nation. This is a source of pride, but it’s also a double-edged sword. Because so few South Dakotans are unemployed, we have a shortage of qualified workers to fill job openings. We lack skilled workers in accounting, engineering, information technology, health care, manufacturing trades and elsewhere. Workforce development is not a new challenge for South Dakota, and it’s an issue that states across the nation face. In recent years, we have been working to identify the components of an effective workforce system and develop strategies to meet employer needs. Thanks to the insights gained from conversations with business, education and government leaders at regional workforce summits, we concluded that a new job site software program was necessary. After careful research and evaluation of available technologies, the Department of Labor and Regulation launched a new virtual one-stop system, SDWORKS, last month. Our old software was not as able to quantify workforce needs. The old system used job titles and only represented the employers who chose to use the system to list jobs. This hampered our ability to make informed policy decisions. The new software searches the internet to “scrape” job listings from other South Dakota employer sites. We are no longer limited to data listed only by employers who use our system. The system also details both job titles and needed skills, allowing any user easily to identify skill supply and demand information in real-time. We can now view, at any given time, everything from the most in-demand skills for job listings to the education level of current job seekers to occupational wage data. This intuitive, state-of-the-art technology has created an exceptional customer service experience. By helping job seekers and businesses, it’s a win-win. Southdakotaworks.org was designed to be a job seeker’s number one resource for finding the perfect career in South Dakota. The virtual one-stop system offers a more comprehensive list of job openings, a more robust resume builder and a better internal messaging system. The Department of Labor and Regulation also offers education opportunities and personalized job advisors. SDWORKS is the state’s largest and most comprehensive jobs board, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel at a local level. New tools allow employers to create job listings based on actual skills and experiences, competencies, and preferences. This allows job seekers and employers to make better matches using the same terminology. Qualified applicants can also be viewed and contacted faster in this system. Filling workforce gaps is not an easy task, and it’s not something that can be solved immediately. It’s going to take continued dedication from people of all sectors over a long period of time. Still, the new SDWORKS program is a giant step forward. Whether you’re an employer or a job seeker, give it a try, at Southdakotaworks.org. 23 Market Street Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2028 www.edwardjones.com Vermillion, SD 57069 Stories about Memorial Day and the special events planned in Vermillion to celebrate those who have served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our nation’s freedom. South Dakota Students Taking The Next Steps Romsdahl’s Repair & Remodel Carpentry, Decks, Interior & Exterior Painting, Refinishing, Drywall, & Ceramic Tile Member SIPC A feature story about the retirement of the Rev. Anna Peck and the closing of the First Lutheran Church of Wakonda. 18 Years in Business Free Estimates Full coverage of Tanager sports, including region track meet results, a report from the region baseball finals and region golf action. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. MAY 29th bp EARLY DEADLINES for May 30th Issues Broadcaster Press Since 1934 bp Broadcaster Since 1934 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 Deadline: Noon Thursday, May 25 Press Deadline: 11am Thursday, May 25 Regular deadline the week before & after 605-670-2161 MOODY MOTOR NIOBRARA, NE Patrick Hawk 251 Spruce Ave • Box 260 Niobrara, NE 68760 www.moodymotor.com pjhawk@hotmail.com (402) 857-3711 (800) 745-5650 Fax (402) 857-3713