Representative Tommy Gregory launches fight to defeat $15 minimum wage hike

by | Sep 22, 2020



Republican State Representative Tommy Gregory is taking the fight to Ballot Amendment 2, establishing a political committee to warn Floridians of the dangers of the November initiative.

Gregory, a House member who represents House District 73, announced the More Jobs and Better Wages PC on Tuesday, hoping to use the vehicle to raise awareness and educate Floridians on the dangers of a constitutionally mandated $15 minimum wage.

“The dangers of enshrining a $15 minimum wage in our state’s constitution cannot be overstated,” said Gregory. “More than half a million jobs for young people, seniors, and others looking to gain new skills at any point in their lives will be in jeopardy. Business owners will face skyrocketing labor costs that will force many to close their doors for good, putting even more people out of work.

“It is imperative that Florida voters understand that voting Yes on Amendment 2 is a vote for increasing consumer costs and hardship for Florida senior citizens on fixed incomes. A mandated minimum wage may sound good at first, but it will end up hurting the very workers it purports to help. More Jobs and Better Wages PC will be working diligently to educate as many voters as possible ahead of the election. Florida’s future depends on voters’ ability to see through Amendment 2’s facile promises,” he continued.

Spearheaded by TV trial lawyer John Morgan, the Constitutional amendment would gradually increase Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. The minimum wage would continue to go up by $1 until it reaches $15 in 2026, and it would increase slightly thereafter each year to keep up the consumer price index.

Morgan says he considers a wage boost a “moral, ethical and religious issue” rather than a political one. While proponents of the referendum argue that raising the pay floor would provide Floridians with a living wage that will lift many out of poverty.

Gregory is just one of many officials and associations pushing back on the wage hike. Several pro-business groups, including the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), have geared up to fight back against the initiative. Many argue that a $15 minimum wage would force business owners to cut the number of employees, reduce the number of hours employees work, and look for ways to automate services currently provided by workers in order to keep their doors open.

Florida’s starting wage is already 18 percent higher than the federal minimum wage and is the highest in the region.

“Amendment 2 would stifle job creation and stall economic growth,” said Gregory. “Simply put, locking in a $15 minimum wage would be devastating. Florida’s Constitution should provide a framework for government that will allow our citizens to flourish. Amendment 2 would do exactly the opposite.”

The proposed amendment will be considered on the Nov. 3 ballot and will require 60 percent approval from voters to pass.

3 Comments

  1. James M. Mejuto

    How much is Rep.Gregory making in his gov’t job, a highly inflated wage and with all the government perks and hidden corp. handouts? What a piece of shit !
    These millions of workers who actually run the businesses, not their bosses, labor under
    minimum wages which should have been eliminated in favor of a livable wage, years ago.
    Thinking about corporation like McDonald’s, why hasn’t it worked with the franchisee to
    improve working conditions and wages.
    The rich get richer and more greedy in this, the richest and most powerful country.

  2. kathy brown

    CommentThis is disgusting. People have the right to eat, have a roof over their heads, and feel safe in America. Keeping people impoverished, so that wealthy people can continue to fodder their wallets as the expense of the poor is opposite what Jesus taught. This is a white supremacist publication and I am disgusted with the viewpoints.

  3. Vivian A.

    It’s true that business owners are facing difficulties in entire America derived from rises in minimum wage salaries. Although I understand that people have the right to live with a decent wage, it’s important that authorities manage to help small business to thrive amid the current circumstances of recession.

 

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