As if this story is ground breaking. I do appreciate the update in our dismal wages, high regressive taxes, and high cost of housing, but this has been going on for decades;
State and federal data routinely show that:
- South Dakota employers pay some of the lowest wages in the nation.
- A high number of families pay an excessive portion of their income on housing.
- The state has a regressive system of taxation.
- Many workers are not seeing their pay cover the rising cost of living in the state.
- Meanwhile, the state is seeing a sharp spike in the cost of housing and health care, two critical components of living a happy life.
I will admit over the past 5 years or so I was able to quit my part-time job and only work one full-time job and make a decent living wage. I am also debt free. But this didn’t come from not working hard. I worked around 60 hours a week for over 20 years and I have NO dependents. But sometimes I wonder how much better off I would be if I just got paid a decent wage.
When I moved to Sioux Falls in 1991 my first job paid around $4.20 an hour.
Let’s face it, as long as we keep electing Republican business owners to the legislature we will continue to have regressive sales taxes, low wages and unaffordable housing. We need a progressive state legislature that stands up for workers.
I know, I am dreaming.
I have suggested to Sioux Falls city councilors that they institute a wage listing ordinance that forces businesses to list there minimum/maximum wage in a job listing for the Sioux Falls metro. Research has shown that not only will employers pay more they will get better and more applicants. It’s not just a win for workers it is a win for businesses.
It’s time we stop screwing around, especially in Sioux Falls, and invest in our workers.
l3wis 
