def _determine_scaling_policies(scaling_policies, scaling_policies_from_pillar):
    '''
    helper method for present.  ensure that scaling_policies are set
    '''
    pillar_scaling_policies = copy.deepcopy(
        __salt__['config.option'](scaling_policies_from_pillar, {})
    )
    if not scaling_policies and pillar_scaling_policies:
        scaling_policies = pillar_scaling_policies
    return scaling_policies
helper method for present.  ensure that scaling_policies are set