Two Democratic Florida lawmakers are announcing a new push to increase Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.Florida’s current minimum wage stands at $8.05 an hour, equaling just over $15,000 a year. This issue strikes a chord with some lawmakers and protestors.
Healthcare, child care and fast food workers converged on the Capitol Thursday from all across the state. Workers expressed their inability to afford basic necessities, even when working multiple jobs. Patricia Walker, a homecare worker, spoke passionately from personal experience.
“I love what I do, so with that I still struggle every day. But I give my clients the love and the care that they need every day, and I have to go home and figure out where my next meal is coming from, or how I’m gonna pay this bill or that bill,” she said.
In addition to filing legislation, Senator Dwight Bullard and Representative Victor Torres pledged to take the Minimum Wage Challenge in support of the state’s lowest paid workers. Beginning September 28th, the campaign calls on elected officials to live on Florida’s minimum wage for five days.
