A good lesson for elected officials to heed as they prepare to go to Pierre this next year. As reported on KELOland.com:

About 78 percent of the voters opposed an opt out Tuesday which would have allowed the county to collect up to $500,000 more in taxes a year for five years. About 21 percent supported it.

and...

Commissioners will meet in a special session Wednesday to finalize a county budget without the additional $500,000. They expect to cut about ten percent from most departments.

Read it all here.

Voters aren't in the mood to buy any tax increases. In this case, to the tune of 79% of them.  Roberts county voters were demanding across the board cuts from already stretched local governments.

Translate this to the greater stage at the state, where state Government has grown by leaps and bounds, in the midst of structural deficit spending.  Any tax or fee increases are going to be met poorly by the electorate, who will likely take out those frustrations on anyone who proposes or votes for them.

So, you guys and gals who are going to Pierre this next session?  You've been warned.