shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com March 28, 2017 • Page 9 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. Campbell County Economic Development BROOKINGS, S.D. - In recent years, Campbell and critics, which, in a certain way, is good. I excellent telecommunications capabilities (Valley I have learned to slow down and listen. Build County Economic Development Corporation has don't dismiss people's concerns as long as they Tel. Corp.) and authentic life styles to offer. Which support within a group or community before succeeded in overcoming challenges faced by are logical and have merit. I am the outsider, so are perfect for individuals who telecommute part- you go public with an idea. I also believe that a rural communities across South Dakota. To better I have learned a lot by listening to all sides of an time or work out of their own homes. Question: It community needs an economic developer to drive understand the strategy behind these successes, issue. Question: Has opportunity been scarce seems you have a lot of dedicated people in the new ideas, champion worth-while community SDSU Extension Community Vitality Field Specialfor Campbell County? Van Kuren Answers: Yes, county. Has this contributed to the success? Van causes and to keep community leaders informed. ist, Paul Thares sat down with Andrew Van Kuren, and then again, no. I understand we are a remote Kuren Answers: We have been successful up to Question: What advice do you have for other rural Coordinator for Campbell County Economic rural county. So, in that sense, we don't have the this point because of the dedication of commucommunities? Van Kuren Answers: Don't be afraid Development Corporation for a question/answer opportunity that some other larger communities nity members. Like the old saying, "Success is a to ask for support of a project or program. Also, session. The discussion is recorded below. First, do. We have had and will continue to have good journey, not a destination." As long as our county don't be afraid to try an old idea again. People some more about Campbell County. Campbell opportunities in the agricultural markets, energy has the leadership we currently do, today and do change their attitudes and beliefs. This could County is made up of four small communities, industries, hunting and fishing segments, too. I into the future, I am confident we will experience mean the community, as a whole, may have a difArtas, Herreid, Pollock and Mound City. Campbell see future opportunities in the information techcontinued success. Question: Through this proferent attitude toward a project or program. - See County is located in north central South Dakota. nology and other white collar careers. We have cess, what have you learned? Van Kuren Answers: more at: http://igrow.org/news/campbell-countye U.S. Highway 83 runs through the middle of the conomicdevelo county (north / south), with S.D. State Route 10 pment/#sthash. connecting the east and west portions of the zBHpOi3f.dpuf county. The western edge of the county borders the Missouri River and Lake Oahe. North Dakota is the county's northern neighbor. According to the 2016 U.S. Census, the total population of the county is 1,397. Population of the four communities is 759. For more information, check out Campbell County Economic Development on Facebook and LinkedIn. Question: Herreid recently made a commitment to raise $250,000 for housing projects. How did that come about and what was your role? Van Kuren Answers: Grow SD - First Impressions tours jettisoned the discussions on how to make our community better. SDSU Extension Representatives helped guide the brainstorming and action plan formulation. I helped organize the tours / discussions and encouraged key leaders to participate in the process. Question: How did Herreidarea residents react to such a big win - raising the money and starting several housing projects - were they surprised? Van Kuren Answers: Reaction was very supportive. Especially with those who invested their time and money. I think some people were pleasantly surprised. Dean Schwartz, Board President for Campbell County Economic Development and I organized public meetings and took the issue to the people. We didn't know what to expect, if anything, we were the people who were most surprised. Question: It pays to be able to network. Tell us a bit about the community th member's involvement? Van Kuren Answers: I can't say enough good things about the people who are involved. Some people offered to write checks at our very first meeting. Not only were people willing to invest money, they invested their time and physical efforts to get the housing group going. This project is a testament to the people who make up our communities. Question: The housing project came on the heels of several big achievements for Campbell County. Could you please explain these successes and your role? 1-Block west of “Mr. G’s” Service Van Kuren Answers: Ralph Hanson got the ball rolling with the Campbell County Wind LAND AUCTION Park. He received the 2016 149.49+/- Acres - Yankton Co SD Governor's Office of Economic Legal: Lots 1 & 2 and N6’ of Lot 3, Waltners Subdivision, Outlot 37, (12) Outlot Development's Economic Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 11:00am Addition, City of Freeman, Hutchinson County, SD. Taxes are $3,508.60. Developer of the Year, post Auction Location: On Site This is a very nice, 5-unit, single story apartment building that was built in 1994. humus. Our Campbell County Attention Farmers & Investors! Economic Development board All are 2-bed room units complete with all the appliances including the washer Located approximately 10 miles east of Yankton, this farm is really great to work with. & dryer. The front unit is designed as a regular home (2-Bedroom, 2-bath, full has 147.8 tillable acres with majority Class I Lakeport silty I feel fortunate to have their laundry, kitchen, living room & dining room), originally intended for the owner clay loam and Class II Forney silty clay loam soils with an support. Our County Commisto use for their own retirement. A great opportunity to live in the front unit, overall Productivity Index of .745! Offering convenient sioners are very approachable lease out the other four units! Includes a 6-car garage with steel shingles and access on both sides of the road, the balance of this farm is and listen to our concerns. all concrete & asphalt driveway (new in 2016). Exceptionally clean and well made up of a road and the Clay Creek Drainage Ditch Cooperative, local landowners running through the property. The Advantage this farm maintained property! Strong rental rates at $3,100 per month and a historically are key to being able to negotioffers is great, with a high percentage tillable, strong soils, high occupancy rate. Showing by appointment only please. ate pricing, secure plots and be the valuable access of the drainage ditch and eye appeal all Terms: $50,000 non-refundable down payment the day of auction with the flexible in their expectations. in a known agricultural area. Put this farm to work for you balance due on closing. Sold subject to current leases. Taxes and Leases Without all of those people it in 2017 as farms of this caliber are rarely offered on the would be very difficult to be will be prorated to the day of closing. Dennis Duncan, Attorney, Closing Agent. open market! Call today for a brochure! successful. Question: Tell us Closing and Costs and Title Insurance split 50/50. Auctioneers are acting as Partial Terms: Sold as is. Announcements made day of about a pivotal moment in this agents for the seller. sale take precedence over all written material. Subject to housing development process? buyer premium and seller con?irmation. Online Only Auction—No Live Auction! Bidding will open on Monday March 27th Van Kuren Answers: When Partial Legal: NW4SE4; SW4NE4, SE4NW4 & NE4SW4 exc with a $50,000 opening bid. Place your bid, at your convenience, from anywhere, Dean Schwartz, president of Bertrand’s Addition, all in Sec 34-T94N-R54W Volin Twp, at any time at www.GirardBid.com. Just “Become a Member”, then “Register for Campbell County Economic Yankton Co, S.D. the Auction”, it’s that easy! Bidding will end on Tuesday April 5th, 10 a.m. with a Development Board said, "We Land Location: From Yankton: 6 miles E on Hwy 50, 2 soft-close. Any bids placed in the last 2-minutes will reset the countdown clock have to do this ourselves. No miles N on 448 Ave (blacktop), 1.75 miles E on 309 St at 2-minutes. Bid early—bid often! grant money is ever going to (blacktop), 1/4 mile N on 450 Ave, land is on both sides. do this for us." Question: Were Owner: Kurt & Lynn Spaugh Berniece “Eva” Olson, Owner some people skeptical that AdvantageLandCo.com 605.692.2525 these projects would be sucGirard Auction & Land Brokers, Inc. Jackson Hegerfeld, LB, Auctioneer cessful? Van Kuren Answers: Megan Hammond, LB, Auctioneer (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 You will always have skeptics Charles Hegerfeld, Broker Assoc. AUCTIONS 5-Unit Apartment Building in Freeman, SD “Village Estates” Bidding Ends Wednesday, April 5 , 10:00 AM Located: 425 S. Juniper Ave, Freeman, SD Mrs. Eva Olson has retired and decided to sell her investment property at online only auction. www.GirardAuction.com Marv Girard, BA; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE; Mike Girard, CAI, BA; Scott Moore, Auctioneer Laura Hegerfeld, Broker Assoc. 510 Main Ave Brookings, SD E X P O S E Y O U R D I R T sm