Should we stay or should we go? That is what millennials are asking themselves on social media, because many of them seem frustrated over two pieces of legislation in Pierre.
One is teacher pay; the other is the transgender bathroom bill.
If you read a number of posts on Twitter and Facebook, people are upset with South Dakota's legislature. They say they are embarrassed over discussions they say are not fair to teachers and discriminate against the LGBT community.
Here are some Facebook posts we've seen: "I'm glad I took off running from that God awful state when I was 18."
From another state: "If I didn't love my family and friends so much, I wouldn't step over the border."
Those authors say they are not coming back until the state changes.
On the flip side, others are posting statements like this:
"The last thing South Dakota needs right now is its people -- especially young people -- to abandon it."
There is also this: "You're essentially telling your friends and family.....to do all of the heavy lifting so you can come home and reap the rewards."
Their point is this: be the change you want to see.
That includes Kyle Jameson. He is originally from Minnesota, but ten years ago, he found a lot to like across the border.
"There are great creative challenges here and great people and it's easy to stay," Jameson said.
The 29-year-old considers himself socially progressive on certain political issues, and admits he is disappointed in some of the bills lawmakers are discussing, including HB 1008.
"You're wanting to see people represented fairly with some compassion," Jameson said.
However, he is also frustrated with some of his peers who are slamming the entire state, while posting they are never coming back.
"Things aren't going to change the way you want them to if you keep abandoning the cause," Jameson said.
"I love South Dakota, and it's my home," Kamerson Nelson said.
25-year-old Nelson agrees with Jameson, but still is bit in a hurry to leave his adopted state of Minnesota to move back here.
"How long can we fight and fight and fight about certain issues when we haven't gotten anywhere in the last 20 years?" Nelson said.
Nelson says he left partially for better job opportunities in Minneapolis, but adds he wanted to live somewhere that mirrored his own political beliefs. He says, unfortunately, South Dakota does not always have a great reputation elsewhere.
"I hate the feeling that when I meet people in Minneapolis and explain to them I'm from South Dakota, I feel obligated to follow up with...'But I care about social issues and I care about people.' I'm not a racist bigot," Nelson said.
Jameson hopes people who feel discouraged will eventually come back and change what they don't like.
"You may not see it in your lifetime, but to know you spent your life fighting for it. You may leave it behind for your children or their children," Jameson said.
One is teacher pay; the other is the transgender bathroom bill.
If you read a number of posts on Twitter and Facebook, people are upset with South Dakota's legislature. They say they are embarrassed over discussions they say are not fair to teachers and discriminate against the LGBT community.
Here are some Facebook posts we've seen: "I'm glad I took off running from that God awful state when I was 18."
From another state: "If I didn't love my family and friends so much, I wouldn't step over the border."
Those authors say they are not coming back until the state changes.
On the flip side, others are posting statements like this:
"The last thing South Dakota needs right now is its people -- especially young people -- to abandon it."
There is also this: "You're essentially telling your friends and family.....to do all of the heavy lifting so you can come home and reap the rewards."
Their point is this: be the change you want to see.
That includes Kyle Jameson. He is originally from Minnesota, but ten years ago, he found a lot to like across the border.
"There are great creative challenges here and great people and it's easy to stay," Jameson said.
The 29-year-old considers himself socially progressive on certain political issues, and admits he is disappointed in some of the bills lawmakers are discussing, including HB 1008.
"You're wanting to see people represented fairly with some compassion," Jameson said.
However, he is also frustrated with some of his peers who are slamming the entire state, while posting they are never coming back.
"Things aren't going to change the way you want them to if you keep abandoning the cause," Jameson said.
"I love South Dakota, and it's my home," Kamerson Nelson said.
25-year-old Nelson agrees with Jameson, but still is bit in a hurry to leave his adopted state of Minnesota to move back here.
"How long can we fight and fight and fight about certain issues when we haven't gotten anywhere in the last 20 years?" Nelson said.
Nelson says he left partially for better job opportunities in Minneapolis, but adds he wanted to live somewhere that mirrored his own political beliefs. He says, unfortunately, South Dakota does not always have a great reputation elsewhere.
"I hate the feeling that when I meet people in Minneapolis and explain to them I'm from South Dakota, I feel obligated to follow up with...'But I care about social issues and I care about people.' I'm not a racist bigot," Nelson said.
Jameson hopes people who feel discouraged will eventually come back and change what they don't like.
"You may not see it in your lifetime, but to know you spent your life fighting for it. You may leave it behind for your children or their children," Jameson said.