South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

July 2013

South Dakotans State Legislature

Should the minimum wage in SD be raised through initiated measure?

l3wis 22Comments

I say yes, but it often makes me chuckle that South Dakotans consistently support Democrats ideas in the form of initiated measures at the ballot box, but vote for Republicans to represent them. Here’s a clue, SD Voter, if you like and support Democrats ideas, maybe you should vote them in office, just a hint;

The minimum wage hike will come before South Dakota voters next year if its proponents, the South Dakota Democratic Party and two labor unions, manage to get almost 16,000 signatures by November of this year.

Of course the SD Chamber of Commerce is against it, because you know, it’s ‘complicated’

Owen, the president and CEO of the state chamber, predicted his group would oppose the minimum wage increase.

“The higher you drive this up, the more you’re going to complicate people entering the workforce,” Owen said.

What complication? Forcing employers to pay a wage (which ironically) isn’t even close to a living wage.

I am of the opinion that higher wages only boost the economy, the more money (lower income) peeps make, the more they will spend, this of course only adds more profit for businesses, which means they can pay their workers more (or at least they should). It is unfortunate you have legislate greedy business owners.

But Zach Crago, the interim executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, predicted a minimum wage increase would help the economy.

“It’s common knowledge that people with more money in their pockets will spend that at businesses across South Dakota,” Crago said. “That’s money that will ripple through our economy and create opportunities for all people.”

I also like the idea of tipped servers getting paid more ($4.25 per/hr) though I still think they should at least get $5 per/hr. Restaurant owners in SD and across the country have been very successful at making a lot of dough off of the backs of their poorly paid employees. The restaurant owners will of course argue that prices will have to go up if they have to pay servers more. Boloney. The fact is, what most restaurants will do is cut their service staff, which isn’t a bad thing. Servers will make more money, not just from their wages but in tips, but it also has it’s consequences, less service, but that is for the restaurant owners to decide.

I think it is wonderful if this gets on the ballot, and I think it will pass. Like I said at the beginning, Democratic ideas once again will be approved by the SD voters, while they continue to send loser Republicans to Pierre and DC.

Jazzfest Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Parks and Rec Smoking Ban

Should smoking be banned at JazzFest?

l3wis 10Comments

The Argue Endorser’s ED board thinks that the No Smoking policy in city parks should also apply to JF.

JazzFest or No JazzFest, it is important to remember the No Smoking policy in parks was decided by a volunteer board and the city’s health department, NOT by the city council (who are supposed create and regulate policy in this city) secondly, there is NO fines or violations issued if you are caught smoking in a city park, an officer simply asks you to put it out. What’s the point?

Here’s how I look at it. Tobacco is a legal product to adults, city parks are PUBLIC property, and lastly IT’S OUTDOORS! While I think it is perfectly acceptable for a bar or restaurant owner to prohibit smoking on their patios (private property) and they should, I think it is a bit of a stretch to tell taxpayers who own our city parks, to put out their cigarettes, like I said, legal product.

There is an easy solution – courtesy. Ask those around you if they mind if you light up, whether you are in a city park or an outdoor restaurant patio. If they say ‘YES’ they do mind. Then don’t light up or walk to a place where you are not in proximity of others.

I think banning a legal product OUTDOORS on PUBLIC PROPERTY is a slippery slope. We already have the city telling us how to trim THERE trees, mow our lawns and scooping snow, they should concentrate on something else, like a little transparency from the mayor’s office.

SF City Council Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

Quote of the day (H/T – Helga)

l3wis 34Comments

Don Kearney, Parks and Rec manager said this on Tuesday;

 “I think it’s important for everybody to realize how those facilities will be located within the park, whether it will be an indoor or outdoor facility,” Kearney said. “If you’re like me, pictures are worth a thousand words, and it really allows you to visualize what those facilities would consist of.”

(Helga) “A picture is worth a thousand words, actually his pictures are worth $47,000, because that is what they are going to pay for those pictures. $47,000 of taxpayer money.  Money that could be better spent elsewhere.”

I went to the working session today, this came up again. What a Mexican Hat Dance Kearney, the City Attorney and Councilor Entenman and Rolfing did today. Councilors Kermit, Karsky, Aguliar, and Jamison all said the same thing, ‘What’s the rush to get out the plans?’ Michelle just grinned and winked. Weird.

Perception. They want to defeat the outdoor pool at Spellerberg by dangling the Indoor pool carrot.

I am going to go the simple route on this. If people really want a public indoor pool, funded by taxpayers, and the need is there, why all the enticement? Wouldn’t this be a slam dunk? Why do we have to dangle pretty pictures in front of voters?

Knock off the indoor pool talk until after the election. And if the voters say they don’t want an outdoor pool at Spellerberg, full steam ahead on an indoor pool. But seriously, why don’t we wait until after the vote? What’s that saying about winners and cheaters?

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