Florida Amendment 2 for the 2020 General Election is a popular and quite contentious topic this election cycle … along with every time the topic of raising minimum wage to a living wage is brought to the table.
Florida Amendment 2 – Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage – on 2020 General Election ballots reads:
“Raises minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30th, 2021. Each September 30th thereafter, minimum wage shall increase by $1.00 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30th, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30th, 2027.
State and local government costs will increase to comply with the new minimum wage levels. Additional annual wage costs will be approximately $16 million in 2022, increasing to about $540 million in 2027 and thereafter. Government actions to mitigate these costs are unlikely to produce material savings. Other government costs and revenue impacts, both positive and negative, are not quantifiable.
This proposed constitutional amendment is estimated to have a negative impact on the state budget. This impact may result in higher taxes or loss of government services in order to maintain a balanced state budget as required by the constitution.”
A laymen’s breakdown of Florida Amendment 2 on the 2020 General Election Ballot:
Amendment 2 proposes to incrementally increase Florida’s minimum wage starting on September 30, 2021, raising it from $8.56/hour to $10/hour. Each September 30 following, minimum wage would increase by $1/hour until the minimum wage reached $15/hour by 2026. Further increases would be based upon the annual rate of inflation.
There are many arguments for and against Florida Amendment 2 and raising the minimum wage to $15/hour.
Many business owners argue that raising the minimum wage will cause prices to increase, drive businesses to choose automated options (kiosks) over human employees, and negatively affect the economy. Organizations like the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Florida Chamber of Commerce (both made up of business owners and representatives of big businesses in Florida) oppose the amendments.
However, others argue that the current minimum wage ($8.56/hour, which is above the federal minimum wage of $7.26/hour) is a poverty rate. And opposite of the argument that this increase will drive sales prices up, supporters of Amendment 2 say when workers are paid living wages, communities can be brought out of poverty and sales at local business will increase because of this.
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Who is sponsoring Florida Constitutional Amendment 2 on the 2020 General Election ballot?
Florida for a Fair Wage is the sponsor of Amendment 2. Orlando personal injury attorney John Morgan (of Morgan & Morgan) is the primary financial backer and vocal proponent of raising the minimum wage in Florida, having donated more than $4.5 million to the effort.
Morgan’s passion and fervent support for raising Florida’s minimum wage is a moral and religious issue, he said during an interview.
In total, more than $5.2 million has been raised in support of Amendment 2. Other major backers are the Service Employees International Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In summary, here’s a breakdown of what it means if you vote “yes” or “no” on Florida Amendment 2 in the 2020 General Election:
- YES vote = You support increasing the state’s minimum wage incrementally until reaching $15 per hour in September 2026.
- NO vote = You oppose the initiative to increase the state’s minimum wage incrementally until reaching $15 in September 2026, and favor keeping the current minimum wage of $8.56 per hour.
Get more details and related articles about Amendment 2 here.