Bill to raise South Dakota’s miminum wage to $15 an hour fails (Audio)
KWAT
February 2, 2024
PIERRE, S.D.–An attempt to raise South Dakota’s minimum wage over three years to $15 an hour failed in a Senate committee Thursday.
The bill’s sponsor, Democrat Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls.
The bill would have ramped up the $15 an hour wage in steps–$12.50 in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, and $15 in 2026.
Bill supporter Sister Lynn Marie Welbig with the Presentation Sisters.
The Noem administration opposed the measure. Derek Johnson with the Bureau of Finance and Management.
Numerous business groups also opposed the bill. Nathan Sanderson with the South Dakota Retailers Association.
The Senate Commerce and Energy Committee defeated it on an 8 to 1 vote.
