Pierre Republicans Deny Paid Sick Leave to Working Families
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Democratic Party released the following statement from Executive Director Sam Parkinson in response to Republicans in the State Senate killing Democratic legislators’ efforts to guarantee a minimum amount of paid sick leave to the working people of South Dakota:
“We are disappointed by the vote of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee this morning. Senate Bill 120 would have been a huge boost for the estimated 48% of South Dakotans working in the private sector who do not have access to paid sick days, and the almost 62% of families in our state where both adults work. Denying these families guaranteed paid sick leave means that parents in those families will lose income and could even risk losing their jobs when a child is ill or needs medical care. While the Republican majority in Pierre continues to do everything it can to protect the interests of corporations and big businesses, South Dakota Democrats will keep fighting for paid sick leave for working families and doing everything we can to create an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.”