CONTACT: Cat Ulrich, cat@emccommunications.com, (202) 630-7839
Oct. 29, 2020, Miami — A growing coalition of more than 150 business owners across Florida is calling for passage of Amendment 2, which would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2026. Florida Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, which includes restaurants, retail, manufacturers, tourism, personal services, construction, and more, says minimum wage increases will boost consumer spending, strengthen Florida’s workforce and help the economy.
“We can’t build a shared recovery on a minimum wage that’s too low to live on,” the Florida Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement says. “Workers are also customers. Raising the minimum wage puts money in the pockets of people who most need to spend it. It boosts the consumer buying power that businesses depend on to survive and grow – a purpose of the minimum wage since it was first enacted to help us recover from the Great Depression.”
Florida Business for a Fair Minimum Wage members across the state commented today:
Diego Tosoni, owner of Love Life Cafe in Miami; opening soon in Orlando: “We pay above Florida’s minimum wage now – before tips – because it’s the right thing to do for our employees, our customers and our business. We have low turnover and high commitment. The happier employees are, the better they perform. Raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2026 is very reasonable. And increased consumer spending will help us grow our business.”
Jennifer Todd, owner of LMS General Contractors in Pompano Beach: “We invest in our employees, and in return we see excellent retention, quality and safety. We have a very successful in-house training program to provide job opportunities for unemployed and underemployed people of color. Raising the minimum wage will be good for business, help workers and their families get out of poverty, and put Florida on track for shared economic recovery.”
Richard Nesbit, owner of Alta Systems in Gainesville: “I pay employees $15 an hour minimum because I care about them and want them to be able to focus on work without being constantly stressed about making ends meet. As a printing and direct mail company paying $15 today, we know that gradually raising the state minimum wage to $15 in 2026 is very doable. It would level the playing field so businesses can’t compete unfairly by paying wages employees can’t live on.”
Fadi Dib, owner of Cali’s Beauty Supply, with three locations in Tallahassee: “Many of our customers earn low wages, and they can only afford to come in occasionally. They have to prioritize life’s most basic essentials. Most businesses have a lot more customers than employees. When customers have more money to spend from minimum wage increases it will show up in the revenues of my business and others across Florida – from grocery stores and hardware stores to barbers, hair salons and restaurants."
Danielle Ferrari, owner of Valhalla Resale in Tampa: “I can tell you firsthand that paying a living wage is good for business. I already pay $15 an hour, and it helps me attract and retain talented, productive employees. Amendment 2’s minimum wage increases will lift the economy as better-paid workers have more money to spend at my business and at my neighbors’ businesses.”
If passed – with a 60% majority required for approval – Amendment 2 will increase Florida’s minimum wage from $8.56 to $10 per hour effective Sept. 30, 2021, and then by $1 each year until it reaches $15 on Sept. 30, 2026.
Florida business leaders supportive of raising the minimum wage are available for comment and/or broadcast bookings. To schedule an interview, contact Cat Ulrich at cat@emccommunications.com or (202) 630-7839.
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Florida Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is a coalition of business owners and executives who believe a fair minimum wage makes good business sense.
Pd. Pol. Adv. Paid for by Florida for a Fair Wage, 6619 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL 33143