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ing, since it locks in future cost increases for employers.
• Most heads of household already make more than minimum wage, so the true impact on families would be minimal and would mainly hit small businesses in rural areas, since pay in cities of 5,000 or more is already higher, he said.
• "There will be a negative impact on jobs in some areas," Owen said. "On the other hand, it does negligible help for anybody."
• The chamber has always supported linking the state's minimum wage to the federal level, and the $7.25 to $8.50 jump would be the largest ever, he said.
• "That's a big step all at once," Owen said.
• Ryan Rolfs, state Democratic Party field director, said petition organizers saw a lot of interest from South Dakotans when gathering signatures.
• "Folks are seeking us out to fill out the petition," he said.
• Owen said it's not surprising enough signatures were gathered to put the issue on the ballot, since some people just want it to go to a public vote.
• "I think a lot of people just want to get into the library or get their mail so they sign," Owen said.
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Sioux Falls airport adds 2 more nonstop flights
• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- More people are apparently opting to fly out of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport than in recent years.
• A yearlong market study found that 80 percent of passengers within 60 miles are going through Sioux Falls. Two to three years ago, the number was around 60 percent.
• The Argus Leader reports (http://argusne.ws/1iIjBeC ) Sioux Falls has added two nonstop flights, and airport managers are looking for more.
• Allegiant Air's service to Tampa, Fla., and the expansion of Delta's round-trip service to Atlanta are part of the airport's push to attract passengers who otherwise might fly out of Omaha, Neb., or Minneapolis.
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SD claims $2.9M of $2.2B settlement by drugmaker
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The state of South Dakota will receive a share of the $2.2 billion drugmaker Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay to resolve criminal and civil allegations.
• Attorney General Marty Jackley says the state's share of the global settlement will be nearly $2.9 million. The U.S. government will keep $1.9 million as the federal Medicaid share and just under $1 million will go to the state general fund to offset (Continued on page 18)
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