Florida House Targets Employees In New Bill
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – The Republican-led Florida House of Representatives has a message for workers hoping for higher pay and sick-time, don't expect it in the Sunshine State.
The House passed HB 655 Thursday that preempts local governments from enacting living wage laws and sick time ordinances.
Living wage ordinances require companies that do business with the county to pay wages that are higher than the federal minimum wage and sometimes provide specific benefits, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
Those ordinances would be superseded by the state bill allowing local businesses working with the county currently paying $12 an hour under the current law could see their wages drop to $7.79 under the new House bill.
In addition, according to the Herald, the bill would prevent cities or counties from enacting laws forcing businesses to provide sick leave to their employees. The House Bill was seen as a shot across the bow of Orange County which will vote on a sick-time measure this year, according to the Herald.
A similar bill in the Senate would focus specifically on medical benefits, the Herald reported.
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