What first was an ask to the state legislature has now turned into a question to voters on this November’s ballot. Each voter will get to decide whether to raise the state's minimum wage. The Florida Chamber of Commerce is joining the chorus of business-backed groups opposing a $15 per hour minimum wage amendment. Chamber CEO Mark Wilson is telling businesses to talk to their customers and friends.
"If this is an amendment you don’t like and you want to get the word out, we need your help we need you to do that today, tomorrow and the next day," said Wilson. "This is not a wait until early November to start talking to friends, families, and vendors about this."
Wilson believes the minimum wage hike would give businesses more reason to turn to automation. And that it would make it harder for teen workers to get jobs. Wilson believes some businesses will leave Florida to avoid having to pay workers more than minimum wage in nearby states. Georgia and Alabama both use the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Rep. Tom Gregory (R-Bradenton) believes it’s a trick to turnout more democrats in the election.
"This is a voter turnout trick and it really is insulting for either party to use a ballot amendment to try and sway an election but that’s exactly what I think is going on here," said Gregory.
The amendment would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026. The initiative is sponsored by Orlando area attorney John Morgan.
