Capital Bureau | USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA

The state's top business lobbying associations are putting their combined political might behind a bill that would cut the pay of thousands of Florida workers.

The Florida Chamber, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Florida Retail Federation are urging House and Senate committees to approve a proposed ban on local wage mandates that are higher than the state minimum of $10 an hour.

Cites, counties and workers argue local governments should be free to include wage and benefits mandates in local contracts.

Since 2003, the minimum wage in Florida has been reserved to the state, except for contracts signed by cities, counties, school boards and their affiliates. A waiver exists in a provision of the law allowing them to require employment benefits not otherwise included in state and federal laws for contract bids.

Going up:Minimum wage is about to rise in 21 states, 35 localities as more embrace $15 an hour

'Desperate for workers':Can this minimum wage increase help stem the US worker shortage?

Opponents to a bill (SB 1124) by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, also the chair of the Florida Republican Party, and another (HB 943) by Rep. Joe Harding, R-Williston, argue local governments are more informed about local conditions than the Legislature and should be allowed to set wages higher than a state minimum.

Gruters and Harding counter that local mandates stifle competition,...

Read Full Story: https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/26/florida-local-mi...