A recession is not the time to raise taxes.  I will not raise taxes as governor.  I will not support any new taxes or any increases in existing taxes.  I would only consider a tax increase in response to an emergency, such as the temporary gas tax increase to pay for snow removal and road repairs after the blizzards of 1997.

South Dakota’s families know that you have to live within your means.  If we have learned anything from this recession, it is that we need to save more, spend less, and be more responsible with our money.  It is going to be the task of the next governor – the governor we elect in 2010 – to make sure that our state comes out of this recession with its books in order.  I know how to balance a budget. I've done it at Children's Home and in my own home. As governor, I will erase that structural deficit and balance our budget.  I’m not afraid to make cuts to do that, but the key will be to firmly limit the growth of the state budget.  We must hold the line on spending until our revenues recover.

The key to resolving our budget problems will be to expand our economy and create jobs.  Read more about my views on jobs and economic development.