Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Full-on whiplash (from 70-degree temps to a blizzard? C'mon Midwest, that's wild even for you)
Status check: You've still got a few more days to earn a little treat for buying in to a smarter Sioux Falls! I've got a goal to see 50 one-time contributors by the end of the week, and so far, 35 of you have chipped in to help!
- Reminder: If you contribute $30, you'll get a coupon from me for a free coffee from our pals over at The Breaks.
- If you contribute $60, you'll get a Sioux Falls Simplified tote bag (which, if you haven't seen the design, it's absolutely the coolest thanks, Kristi Wire!!).
- If you contribute $90, you'll get both the coffee AND the tote bag.
- And if you contribute $200 or more, you get all that stuff AND I'll personally meet you for coffee and we can discuss how to solve all of the world's problems together.
This week, the world of local government has quieted down a bit, which meant I had some time to go through and look at what exactly Sioux Falls-area lawmakers did this session. You'll also find a round-up of local events, a look at some Super Simplified headlines and a story on why now is the time to get your zoo membership (spoiler: summer camps are filling up, if that's on your list of to-dos).
And now, news:
SODAK SIMPLIFIED
How effective your state lawmakers this session?
Simplified: About 30% of bills Sioux Falls-area lawmakers proposed this year's state legislative session ultimately made it to Gov. Larry Rhoden's desk, according to analysis from Sioux Falls Simplified. Here's a closer look at what your lawmakers did, specifically.
Why it matters
- Since state lawmakers are elected to represent you, it makes sense that after the session, you'd want to know how they did, what they focused on and how effective they were in passing legislation.
- About 500 bills were proposed in total during South Dakota's 100th annual legislative session, and of those about 213 were from Sioux Falls-area lawmakers.
- Of the just over 200 bills that made it through both chambers and to the governor for final approval, 64 – or, about 30% – had prime sponsors from the Sioux Falls area.
- But not all local lawmakers were equally effective. District 12 Sen. Arch Beal, for example, was not the prime sponsor on any legislation. On the other end of the spectrum, District 25 Sen. Tom Pischke filed 23 pieces of legislation – six of which passed. The median number of bills filed was five.
What about my lawmakers, specifically?
Search for your legislators and see what they proposed here.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Why it's time to get a zoo membership
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium members can get special discounts on retail, food, education programs and event admission. Here's why now is the time to get your annual membership.
Why it matters
- It's been a little over two years since the Great Plains Zoo merged with the Butterfly House and Aquarium to form the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, and the Monarch Membership was created as a way to give guests year-round access to both campuses.
- All membership tiers include discounts on food, beverages, retail and additional tickets to the zoo or butterfly house. Members can also get discounts at other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums throughout the country.
- Memberships are also a great way to save money – especially for families who like to spend the summer hanging out at the new splash pad or have a warm place to go get a taste of a tropical climate at the butterfly house in the winter.
"If you're someone who's going to be going to the zoo or the butterfly house more than a couple of times in a calendar year, a membership is going to be a better deal for you," PR and Marketing Director Denise DePaolo said.
Tell me more about memberships
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Don't mess with the mailman. Volunteers with the National Association of Letter Carriers will hold a "Fight Like Hell" rally starting at 1 p.m. Sunday at Fawick Park. The goal is to stand against efforts to privatize the United States Postal Service, according to a news release from the group.
- Budget cuts coming for schools. The Sioux Falls School District is going to be looking at cutting $3 million from its next budget, according to board member Dawn Marie Johnson. Budget talks will kick off during an upcoming work session next week – stay tuned.
- Rosie's Cafe for sale. Sioux Falls.Business reported Tuesday that longtime, iconic local diner Rosie's Cafe is up for sale as the owner instead takes over a small-town diner in Chester. Full story here.
- Chamber president named to national group. Jeff Griffin, President and CEO of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce was named to the national chamber's Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, a prestigious group that helps advise the U.S. Chamber's board of directors and recommend programming.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: March 19-25
- Get in touch with your whimsical side.* The Premiere Playhouse is presenting "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a Shakespearian comedy with fairies, love potions and mistaken identities. You've got eight chances to catch the show between Thursday, March 20 and Sunday, March 30. Get your tickets here.
- Play with piglets. It's Ag Day at the Washington Pavilion on Saturday, and families can come learn about the way agriculture shapes South Dakota – as well as seeing cute little baby piglets and munching on SDSU ice cream. Get the details here.
- Hike into spring. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with a one-mile Spring Equinox Hike Thursday evening at Blue Mounds State Park (yes, that's technically Minnesota, but it's still pretty and close). Details here.
- How well do you know women? Test your knowledge at Women's Health Trivia at Severance Brewing Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. $1 per pint will also be donated to Selah Space to support holistic care for women. Details here.
- Watch some hoops. The Sioux Falls YMCA is hosting the 95th Annual Tri-State Basketball Tournament this weekend – one of the longest-running tournaments in the country. Learn more here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE FEEL THIS SMART?
Support Sioux Falls Simplified
Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:
- Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
- Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
- Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
- Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
