Working Families Legislative Forum
Saturday & Sunday, January 10-11, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM both days
Labor Temple, 101 S Fairfax Avenue, Sioux Falls
The 2026 Legislative Session starts January 13. Join us to turn conversations into action on healthcare, housing, childcare, workplace safety, and fair wages.
WHAT IS THIS?
A two-day gathering where YOU set the agenda. No lectures—just working sessions where people discuss solutions and build legislative strategy together.
Our November forum brought dozens of people who identified top priorities:
Healthcare: Protect Medicaid expansion serving 28,726 South Dakotans, oppose Amendment I
Housing: Scale Governor's House Program (3-year waitlist), pilot innovative construction
Childcare: Costs exceeding rent, workforce barriers
Workplace Safety: Extend workers' comp filing from 3 to 7-10 days
Wages: Healthcare deductions consuming 20%+ of paychecks
WHAT HAPPENS?
Saturday: Propose topics, join conversations that matter to you, share insights
Sunday: Build action plans, identify legislative opportunities, sign up to testify or lobby
Throughout: Connect with legislators, document ideas, build relationships
WHO SHOULD COME?
Union members, healthcare workers, educators, small business owners, parents, students, retirees, community organizers, elected officials. Anyone who cares about working families.
JOIN OUR LEGISLATIVE ACTION NETWORK
Bills move fast. We need people ready to testify at hearings, meet with legislators, and contact lawmakers when votes approach. Your story changes votes.
Complete the survey to indicate which issues matter to you and how you want to engage.
THREE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Attend in person (recommended)
Complete survey even if you can't attend
Free • Food provided • Childcare available (indicate in RSVP)
RSVP & JOIN ACTION NETWORK:
https://forms.gle/sT3KBBY31y2u1uAt7
QUESTIONS:
Jordan Deffenbaugh, AFSCME Council 65
amRlZmZlbmJhdWdoIHwgYWZzY21lNjUgISBvcmc= • 605-679-0283
Co-hosted by Sioux Falls Labor Federation & AFSCME Council 65
Session runs January 13 - March 31. Even if you can't attend, complete the survey and share this event. The more voices we have, the stronger our impact.
In solidarity with working families across South Dakota
Also check out other Business events in Sioux Falls.
