Argus Leader - Obama's Proposals Run Into S.D. Opposition

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By Unknown

President Obama delivered his penultimate State of the Union address before Congress and the American people Tuesday night, where he outlined a series of reforms including tax breaks for the middle class, community college assistance and expanding broadband Internet access. Many of the president's proposals, delivered during a 60-minute speech in Washington, could have trouble passing muster in a Republican-led Congress that has been reluctant to increase spending.

Here are the statements issued by South Dakota's Congressional delegation following the president's speech:

Rep. Kristi Noem

"South Dakotans deserve to hear about opportunities, but unfortunately, most of tonight's speech was about politics. … We should, however, enact new trade agreements that create more opportunities for South Dakota commodities and products to be sold overseas. We should eliminate some of the burdensome regulations that make it difficult to do business in America. We should cooperate on real solutions that strengthen cybersecurity, simplify the tax code, secure our nation, and accomplish much more. But to do that, we have to put politics aside. Only then can we create an opportunity economy with higher paying jobs and an accountable, efficient government."

Sen. John Thune

"America's new Congress is focused on a reform agenda to fight for the middle class with policies to help create jobs, increase wages, and lower health care and energy costs. The president tonight laid out an agenda of top-down policies of the past to tax, to spend, and to regulate. South Dakotans know that bigger government doesn't mean better government, but that's exactly what the president proposed tonight, new ways to expand Washington's already-overextended bureaucracy. After six years of the same stale policies, it's time for new ideas. … Republicans believe in tapping into the potential of the American people, not the government, and we hope the president will finally join us."

Sen. Mike Rounds

"I appreciate the fact that the president at least acknowledged the need to work together to solve our country's most pressing issues, but he must do more than pay lip service to bipartisanship in order to move our country forward. ... Instead, he offered more of his same failed policies and proposals that will raise taxes on American families, add to our already bloated debt and stifle energy and economic growth. ... Most troubling of these proposals is his plan to raise taxes on hard-working Americans -- to the tune of $320 billion dollars. ... The tax plan he proposed tonight would impact South Dakota small-business owners, farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs. The people who will be hit by this are your friends, your neighbors and Main Street store owners who provide good-paying jobs and essential services in South Dakota communities."

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