**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT** 

FLORIDA TODAY: AMENDMENT 2 WOULD HURT THE PEOPLE IT’S SUPPOSED TO HELP WITH $15 MINIMUM WAGE | OPINION

Tallahassee, FL — Florida Today published an opinion column by Christopher Muro, an assistant political science professor at Eastern Florida State College, in opposition to Ballot Amendment 2. The article warns that the mandatory minimum wage hike would cause great economic harm, increase unemployment, advance automation and impose higher prices across Florida’s hospitality industry.

“Minimum wage increases are typically approved with more than 60% of the vote, whether they are on the ballot in Arkansas, Oregon, Missouri, or California. Approval makes voters feel good about themselves, believing all they must do to solve hunger and homelessness is fill in a bubble on a scantron voting sheet. If only life were that simple.

“On the contrary, approval of Amendment 2 will only serve to hurt the very people its advocates claim to be helping. Affirmation of the minimum wage increase will lead to higher unemployment, automation, and higher prices for consumers. Floridians need to set a trend by rejecting these outdated economic policies and continue moving Florida’s economy into the 21st century.”

Maro disputes the myth of a constitutionally mandated minimum wage hike, providing the harsh reality for hospitality workers, especially those who earn tips.

“A common myth associated with this issue is the notion that there are millions of Americans struggling to feed their families but are trapped in poverty due to the low minimum wage. The problem with this argument is that, according to the most current data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 2.1% of the workforce earns minimum wage. That is correct, 97.9% of hourly wage earners in the United States earn a wage higher than the minimum wage. By way of comparison, in 1980 just over 15% of hourly paid workers earned minimum wage. Also consider that the single largest employer of minimum-wage workers, according to the Pew Research Center, is the restaurant and food service industry as servers and bussers who are tipped and truly make much more than the minimum wage.

“The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most actual minimum wage earners are under 25 years of age, never married, work fewer than 35 hours per week, and have not earned a high school diploma. There were no statistically significant variations regarding minimum wage and race; White, Black, and Hispanic workers earned the minimum wage at the same percentage of the workforce. Thus, the typical minimum wage earner is young, not the head of a household, and is working in an entry level position that does not require a high level of training or education. These statistics should not be surprising and are, in fact, rather intuitive.”

Maro explains the economic effects of government intervention on wages that will force private businesses to offset increased labor costs.

“The deleterious economic effects of a minimum wage increase will be even more pronounced in Florida as there is a sizable segment of our economy that is retail and service based. Approving Amendment 2 is nothing more than a voter imposed unfunded mandate on private businesses. Business owners are then forced to offset increased labor costs in the form of higher prices for consumers, a reduction in hiring or embracing automation.

“The minimum wage increase is outdated and is just bad public policy. Hopefully, the voters of Florida will let Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and the minimum wage rest in peace by voting no on Amendment 2.”

To read the full column, click here.

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

• Online at Amendment2HurtsYou.com
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

###

Paid Political Advertisement by Save Florida Jobs Inc.
230 South Adams St., Ste 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301

**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT** 

THE NEWS-PRESS: GUEST OPINION: RAISING MINIMUM WAGE WOULD HURT FLORIDA FAMILIES, NOT HELP THEM

Tallahassee, FL — The Fort Myers News-Press published an opinion column this week by Skylar Zander, state director of Americans for Prosperity-Florida, informing voters to be wary of Ballot Amendment 2, as it is a weak scheme that promises a quick fix for Florida’s economy from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While families, workers, and small businesses across the Sunshine State struggle to make ends meet, policymakers are searching for solutions that will help ease the burden.

“But we ought to be wary of any solution that promises a quick fix.

“On Election Day, Floridians will consider one such “solution” — Amendment 2, which would incrementally raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.”

Zander explains that Ballot Amendment 2 means severe consequences for workers, managers, owners and, most especially, small businesses.

“In the wake of the COVID-19 shutdowns, small businesses are already struggling to stay afloat.

“To be sure, increasing the government-mandated minimum wage is bad for workers in any circumstances. But doing it now, at a time when money is already tight and employers have already had to cut hours or close their doors, would be doubly disastrous.”

Zander references real-life case studies seen across the country and the data proving the detrimental effects of a wage hike.

“One local Seattle burger joint, called Dick’s Drive-In, had to raise prices because of labor costs for the first time in its history.

“Bigger businesses have also been affected.

“Target raised its minimum to $15 per hour in 2017, then had to cut employees’ hours.

“As one Target employee named Heather told CNN, “I got that dollar raise but I’m getting $200 less in my paycheck.”

“A Competitive Enterprise Institute study found that wage hikes come with trade-offs, which include reduced non-wage compensation, fewer job openings, reduced hours, increased automation, higher insurance co-pays, less vacation and personal time, and reduced employee discounts.”

Another concern discussed is the danger of implementing a constitutional amendment that will mandate the same minimum wage in both rural and metropolitan areas of Florida, regardless of the varied cost of living in that region.

“Another challenge for statewide increases is that most states — especially one as large and diverse as Florida — have widely varying economies for which one-size-fits-all wage mandates make no sense.

“Families and small businesses in Miami experience different costs of living than those in Marianna. Palm Coast and Port Charlotte are not the same.

“We are already seeing this happen in New York, where a similar measure to incrementally raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour has affected the Utica-Rome region much differently than New York City, where the cost of living is 30.2 percent higher.”

Zander believes that wages should be determined by the economies of scale, not by a government-mandated raise that would ultimately put hundreds of thousands out of a job.

“The best way to help workers is to grow the economy so businesses succeed, productivity increases, and employees are rewarded for those gains. Giving a few workers a raise while forcing others to work fewer hours or lose their jobs entirely is no way to achieve that.

“According to a Florida State University study, it is predicted that Amendment 2 will cost Florida at least 158,00 jobs.”

Zander explains the argument for lifting people out of poverty, though well-intentioned, is not sustainable and will ultimately fail.

“”In 1987, The New York Times editorial board wrote: “The idea of using a minimum wage to overcome poverty is old, honorable — and fundamentally flawed.”

“These words are no less true today than they were 30-plus years ago. Many things have changed since 1987, but the fundamental laws of economics have not been repealed.

“To protect Florida workers, families, and small businesses, we encourage Floridians to vote no against Amendment 2 in November.”

To read the full column, click here.

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

• Online at Amendment2HurtsYou.com
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On LinkedIn

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

###

Paid Political Advertisement by Save Florida Jobs Inc.
230 South Adams St., Ste 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Disaster Field Operations Center East
Oct. 20, 2020

Contact: Michael Lampton (404) 331-0333 [email protected]

ATLANTA – Disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are an affordable way for businesses, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters to obtain funds to pay for their uninsured disaster-related losses, including their insurance deductible. The SBA has approved more than $11 million in disaster loans for businesses and residents with losses resulting from Hurricane Sally in Florida on Sept. 14, 2020 to Sept. 28, 2020.

“Currently, 271 disaster loans have been approved in the amount of $11,331,700 for affected survivors. The SBA encourages anyone who has not applied to act now. Our mission is to help businesses and residents rebuild and resume their normal lives as quickly as possible,” said Michael Lampton, acting director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

The disaster declaration covers Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties in Florida, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington in Florida; and Baldwin, Covington, Escambia and Geneva in Alabama.

The SBA is operating two Business Recovery Centers where business owners can receive one-on-one assistance submitting their disaster loan applications. In accordance with precautions for COVID-19, the SBA established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. Visitors to the BRCs are encouraged to wear a face mask. The Centers are located as indicated below and will operate until further notice.

Okaloosa County Business Recovery Center
Bridgeway Center Building C 205 Shell Ave. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Hours: Sunday-Saturday (7 days a week)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST)

Escambia County Business Recovery Center
East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse 3208 East Gonzalez St. Pensacola, FL 32503
Hours: Sunday-Saturday (7 days a week)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST)

Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates are as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations and 1.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Survivors can apply for an SBA disaster loan at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov and can contact the SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for assistance in completing their loan application. Requests for SBA disaster loan program information may be obtained by emailing [email protected]. The SBA will conduct extensive outreach to ensure that those affected by the disaster have an opportunity to apply for assistance.

Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing [email protected]. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 1, 2020. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 2, 2021.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

TALLAHASSEE – Several local Palm Beach hospitality establishments have achieved the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Seal of Commitment, demonstrating their dedication to enhanced safety and sanitation practices. The FRLA Seal of Commitment is a promise to guests that their safety is a priority and is designed to improve confidence to return to hotels and restaurants in a post COVID-19 environment. It is a commitment that a restaurant or hotel meets safety and sanitation standards as designated by FRLA and that staff are well-trained.

Since the launch of the program, over 100 establishments have achieved the Seal, with dozens more in progress, representing the statewide commitment of the hospitality industry to the health and safety of employees and guests. Awarded establishments have invested considerable resources to prioritize the safety and health of the staff, guests, and establishment.

Of the first group of Seal of Commitment Designees, the following achievers are in the Palm Beach, Florida Area:

• Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steak, Jensen Beach
• Berry Fresh, Jupiter
• The Breakers Palm Beach, Palm Beach
• Cucina Palm Beach, Palm Beach
• Meat Market Steakhouse, Palm Beach
• Palm Beach Country Club, Palm Beach
• Café Chardonnay, Palm Beach Gardens
• Berry Fresh, Port St. Lucie
• Marriott Singer Island, Riviera Beach
• Berry Fresh, Stuart
• La Quinta Inn & Suites, West Palm Beach
• Okeechobee Steakhouse, West Palm Beach
• Okeechobee Prime Meat Market, West Palm Beach
• Palm Beach Yacht Club, West Palm Beach

“Employee and guest safety is paramount for Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, our hotels and restaurants adhered to strict sanitation, food safety, and training guidelines. With the Seal of Commitment program, we have built on the foundation of those excellent standards to do even more to ensure cleanliness and safety and help build consumer confidence. Establishments can display their awarded Seal as a promise to guests of their strict adherence to these rigorous standards.”

“We were the first restaurant in Palm Beach County to receive the Seal of Commitment. We wanted to set the bar high because it is important to us that our guests and staff feel safe and protected,” said Ralph Lewis, CEO of Okeechobee Steak House. “We have been a member of FRLA since 1951. It is important for us to do the right thing. Operators who get the Seal of Commitment indicate they are willing to go above and beyond for safety and sanitation.”

“When FRLA presented the Seal of Commitment, our team was excited to add this to our tool chest in order to build consumer confidence,” said Roger Amidon, General Manager of the Marriott Singer Island Resort. “This program allows restaurants and hotels to exhibit their strong commitment to safety and sanitation. I am pleased to be a part of the initiative and my team will uphold the standards set forth in the class.”

“We’ve always taken extra steps with safety and sanitation, but the Seal of Commitment gives our members an even higher level of confidence,” Said Ron Passaggio General Manager of Palm Beach Country Club.

Awarded establishments have completed rigorous safety and sanitation training. In a post COVID-19 atmosphere, when guests see an FRLA Seal of Commitment sticker on an establishment’s door, they can be confident that the business is committed to sanitation excellence and protecting employees and guests.

Visit https://frla.org/sealofcommitment/ to learn how to achieve the FRLA Seal of Commitment.

###

**VIDEO RELEASE**

NEW AD WARNS FLORIDIANS TO READ THE FINE PRINT ON BALLOT AMENDMENT 2

Ballot Language Warns the Impact “May Result in Higher Taxes or A Loss of Government Services”

Tallahassee, FL — This General Election, Florida’s small businesses and workers are warning voters to read the fine print on their ballot. A new digital ad released today highlights the language on Florida’s proposed Ballot Amendment 2 that warns of higher taxes and loss of government services if passed. Floridians can read the warning in bold, plain view on their own ballot.

The ballot language reads: 

“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.

“This proposed constitutional amendment is estimated to have a net negative impact on the state budget. This impact may result in higher taxes or a loss of government services.”

The new video cuts straight to the ballot language, urging voters to read the fine print. Not only will businesses close and workers lose their jobs, but all Floridians will face higher taxes for government services as a result of the wage mandate. To view the video, visit https://youtu.be/1hmss40CUmk.

Ballot Amendment 2 is a proposed amendment to the Florida constitution that would mandate Florida businesses pay a minimum wage of $15 an hour by 2026. Similar initiatives have been adopted in liberal cities across the United States, including Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C. This initiative has proven to kill jobs, cut hours and close businesses.

Recent reports demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on Florida jobs and businesses: 

·         An economic impact study revealed Florida has already lost 336,000 jobs due to COVID-19, and Ballot Amendment 2 will kill another 158,000 jobs.

·         The National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit that advocates for taxpayer interests at all levels of government, warned the amendment will devastate family-owned small businesses. 

·         A Florida TaxWatch economic impact report said that businesses will pay an additional $7.3 billion a year to employ the same number of workers today at a $15 minimum wage. 

Last month, Sen. Joe Gruters, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, and Florida House Speaker-designate Chris Sprowls announced their opposition to Ballot Amendment 2. Dozens of other local and statewide elected officials also oppose the amendment that would hurt local economies. For a full list of elected officials urging voters to vote NO on Ballot Amendment 2, visit https://www.amendment2hurtsyou.com/coalition. 

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.   

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:  

·         Online at Amendment2HurtsYou.com

·         On Facebook

·         On Twitter

·         On LinkedIn

·         On Instagram

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

###

Paid Political Advertisement by Save Florida Jobs Inc.
230 South Adams St., Ste 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301

By Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board

Published 10/6/20

Updated 3 hours ago

The Times Editorial Board weighs in with a recommendation on Amendment 2.

Raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour sounds appealing. The hefty bump would increase the income of hundreds of thousands of Floridians. More people would earn a living wage, enough to pay for food, shelter and other necessities, easing the fear of having to decide between keeping the electricity on or buying prescription medicines. What’s not to like? Well, quite a bit, when you peel back the layers.

The minimum wage debate is often cast as moral champions against unfeeling capitalists. But it’s far more complicated. There’s no glossing over that a $15 minimum wage creates winners, but it always creates losers.

Raising the base wage by so much so quickly will increase costs for businesses. In turn, prices will rise, shifting some burden onto regular Floridians. The ones struggling to make ends meet — even with a $15 minimum wage — will feel more of the pinch. So will unskilled workers who lose their jobs when businesses cut expenses to make up for the higher cost of wages.

If passed, Amendment 2 would raise the state’s $8.56 minimum wage to $10 next September. After that, the wage would go up $1 each year until it reaches $15 an hour in September 2026. That increase is 75 percent over six years. (The wage would then rise with annual inflation, as it does now.)

Florida’s current minimum wage ranks near the middle of the pack among states. Many at the bottom either don’t have a state minimum or adopt the federal minimum of $7.25, including Alabama, Georgia, Texas and the Carolinas. At the upper end, several states, including Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Maine, are at or above $12 an hour. And a handful of states have passed laws that will gradually raise the wage to $15 over the next few years. Most of those states, including California, Maryland and Massachusetts, already have minimum wages higher than Florida. They also have median incomes that exceed Florida’s, which means Florida will likely feel a greater impact — for better and for worse — if the minimum rises to $15.

In recent years, companies including Amazon decided to pay employees at least $15 an hour. Bank of America announced a $20 minimum starting next year. But that’s not the same as raising the minimum wage statewide. First, those companies did the math and decided they could afford it. The math on an economy the size of Florida is far more complicated. Before the pandemic, Florida had 230,000 cashiers who collectively averaged less than $11.50 an hour. That’s far more people in just one job category than Bank of America employs in the entire country.

Plus, just as quickly as the companies announced a $15 minimum, they could say “Whoops, we need to go back to $12.” If the state minimum wage is added to the Florida Constitution, a “whoops” is much harder to remedy. It would take passing another constitutional amendment.

The complicated accounting is why so many of the in-depth studies on raising the minimum wage use words like “considerable uncertainty” in predicting the results. Both sides often point to a recent report from the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office, which calculated the effects of raising the federal minimum to $15. The report did not break out numbers for Florida. But, extrapolating from the national figures, about 1.1 million Floridians would see their wages rise and about 80,000 would be lifted out of poverty. The boost would reduce their reliance on food stamps and other government programs. But another 80,000 would lose their jobs, many of whom would then need government assistance.

Another analysis found that a $15 minimum wage would cost Florida more than 158,000 jobs. The number could rise to 181,000 if the hospitality industry grows slower than other industries, according to Ohio’s Miami University professor William Even and Trinity University professor David Macpherson. They prepared the analysis with support from Save Florida Jobs, a group that opposes Amendment 2.

“This estimate is conservative,” the report said. “Hundreds of thousands of additional jobs are at risk.”

Most of the studies also conclude that prices would rise and some businesses would close. How much and how many? That’s complicated, too. But for businesses with lots of employees making less than $15 an hour — think restaurants, bars, and some retailers and tourist attractions — the fallout would be worse. Some people are willing to accept that a take-out hamburger or other indulgences will cost more. Many have the money to absorb the extra cost or are willing to go without. But the price of some necessities will rise too, putting pressure on lower wage earners, even if they are making $15 an hour.

Local and state governments would pay out about $16 million in increased wage costs in the first year, according to the Florida Office of Economic Demographic Research. But that figure balloons to $540 million by 2027, with school districts taking a big hit.

A $15 minimum wage also makes no distinction between different places across the state. The cost of living in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Miami is far different than in Spring Hill, Mayo or Chipley. Smaller places — some already hurting from a decline in agriculture — could see a disproportionate number of jobs evaporate.

Opponents of Amendment 2 also have criticized the timing, and say it’s a bad idea to raise the minimum wage while the state digs out from the economic rubble left by the pandemic. But that argument isn’t as strong. The first increase wouldn’t go into effect for nearly a year, by which time the state should be on much firmer economic footing. They also argue that a higher minimum wage will speed up automation — more self-ordering kiosks at McDonald’s and self-checkout lanes at Home Depot. The connection, though, feels overblown given that businesses have been headed that way for years.

Proponents argue that the Republican-controlled Legislature has ignored the struggles of lower-wage workers and that the only way to enact a $15 minimum wage was to vote to put it to the state Constitution. That’s likely true, but an amendment is not ideal. Amendments are often blunt instruments — all or nothing — while legislative bills can address complex details.

New Mexico recently passed a bill — not a constitutional amendment — raising the state minimum wage to $12 in 2023. But the bill also establishes a training wage for high school students and keeps (and slightly increases) the tipped minimum wage, which allows restaurants and bars to maintain their current pay structure. Some states have raised their minimum wages but adopted tiers based on the size of the business, so that the ones with fewer employees pay a little less.

We would support an amendment that included such refinements and recognized the differences in jobs. We’d also like the Legislature to let cities and counties set their own minimum wages, higher than the state minimum. But Amendment 2 lacks such nuances. It mandates a $15 minimum for every job, regardless of experience, skill level, geography or the size of the business.

People on both sides of the Amendment 2 debate make legitimate arguments. It could help close the wealth gap, but it will also put many people out of work. It will lift people out of poverty but will put some businesses out of business.

Despite its appeal, Amendment 2 is too much, too soon. The risk of unintended consequences outweighs the upside, enough to tip the balance. On Amendment 2, the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board recommends voting No.

RELATED: All of the Times Editorial Board recommendations

RELATED: How the Times makes its political recommendations.

Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. The members of the Editorial Board are Times Chairman and CEO Paul Tash, Editor of Editorials Graham Brink, and editorial writers Elizabeth Djinis, John Hill and Jim Verhulst. Follow @TBTimes_Opinion on Twitter for more opinion news

**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT** 

FLORIDA TODAY: RESTAURANT WORKER: WHY I’M VOTING ‘NO’ ON AMENDMENT 2 TO RAISE FLORIDA’S MINIMUM WAGE | OPINION

Tallahassee, FL — Florida Today published today an opinion column by Heather Parsons, a bartender and restaurant worker at the Crab Trap in Destin. She reveals that Ballot Amendment 2, if passed, would not only be a pay cut for her, it will destroy the very industry it intends to help. Parsons is a restaurant worker who depends on her job to provide a good income and a flexible schedule to raise her family.

“As a bartender, I am able to work hard so that I can make good money. When I was a single mom, this job afforded me the flexibility to raise my kids, but also pay my bills.

“Amendment 2 would change all of that. This ballot amendment would gradually hike Florida’s minimum wage up to $15 per hour by 2026. Businesses would be required to pay everyone the mandatory minimum wage, including part-time and full-time workers, students and 20-year restaurant veterans like me.

“There’s no way small businesses like the seafood restaurant where I work can afford to pay all employees with varying levels of experience a minimum of $15 an hour. Amendment 2 would devastate the restaurant industry, along with retail and other service industries that are the lifeblood of Florida’s economy.”

Parsons has been in the hospitality business for more than 20 years and has seen first-hand the challenges restaurants continue to face through COVID-19. Other cities— like Seattle and San Francisco and Washington, D.C. — have seen a wage hike fail, hurting the very employees it was intended to help, just like Parsons. She believes those campaigning for Ballot Amendment 2 do not truly understand the industry.

“These small businesses are already struggling to survive through COVID-19.

“If operating costs are forced to rise, owners and managers will have to make the difficult decisions to cut jobs, reduce hours and raise prices. Some will be forced to close altogether. We just can’t afford that.

“We’ve seen this fail in other cities across the nation — like Seattle and San Francisco and Washington, D.C. — that a higher minimum wage ended up hurting the very same employees it intended to help — employees like me. Just to make ends meet, business owners added a service charge to the bill that went directly to the business to help them cover the cost of higher wages. With a 20% service charge, customers stopped giving tips. Hard-working servers like me, who enjoy working hard for tips, were taking home far less than they did before.

“But that’s not all. In many cases, increasing prices and adding a service charge wasn’t enough for businesses to make ends meet. Many were forced to close leaving servers like me out of a job and a paycheck altogether.

“I’m proud of my career in this industry and the service I provide to anyone who steps foot into our restaurant. But $15 an hour is a pay cut for me, and so many others like me across the state who get tips on top of our wages.

“Those who think this mandated wage hike is a good thing may have never been a server, or a hostess, or a bartender. They do not understand our industry, or our workers who depend on jobs that provide a good income and a flexible schedule so we can raise our families.

“I have been dedicated to serving my customers for decades, and now I’m asking for a favor in return. I want to keep my job and my pay. Florida voters, please stand with small businesses, my Crab Trap family and hard workers like me and vote “no” on Amendment 2.”

Read the entire column at: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/10/06/why-im-voting-no-amendment-2-raise-floridas-minimum-wage-opinion/3626510001/

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

• Online at Amendment2HurtsYou.com
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November

###

**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT**

DAILY COMMERCIAL: SCOTT BERRY: VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 2 TO PROTECT BUSINESSES, JOBS

Tallahassee, FL — The Daily Commerical published a guest column on Friday by Scott Berry, the executive director of the Tavares Chamber of Commerce, focused on the recent unanimous vote by the Tavares Chamber’s Board of Directors to strongly oppose Ballot Amendment 2. Berry makes clear in his column that if Ballot Amendment 2 passes, it would be devastating to both Florida’s economy and its residents.

“At a time where the state of Florida is reeling from the pandemic, a mandatory $15/hour minimum wage would almost certainly ensure that jobs lost due to COVID-19 won’t return, and many businesses already devastated by the pandemic effects won’t be able to bounce back,.” says Berry in the column.

“This could bring Florida’s economy to a standstill.”

“With local businesses struggling and not able to reopen due to COVID-19, along with hundreds of thousands of Floridians out of work, now is not the time to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 per hour.

“Those most affected by Amendment 2 are working families and seniors on a fixed income, since Amendment 2 is effectively a tax increase; driving up inflation and dramatically increasing the cost of living, forcing seniors and working families to pay more for necessities like food and clothing.”

The Tavares Chamber of Commerce seeks to protect the local businesses of their community, especially while many continue to face hardship and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Florida’s #1 industry, tourism, and tourism-related businesses, were forced to lay off an average of 73% of their workforce over a three-week period.

“With many attractions, hotels, and restaurants forced to operate at limited capacities, these jobs will not be brought back with a $15/hour minimum wage.

“Entry-level workers will suffer, as there will be fewer positions for them- businesses will need to shift their workforce to more experienced workers.

“After an unprecedented year filled with enormous challenges for so many, now is not the time to add another challenge to our business community.

“Now is the time to protect our working families, seniors, businesses, and so many more.

“As your Chamber in Tavares, we are fighting to protect our local businesses and our communities, vote no on Amendment 2.”

Read the entire column at: https://www.dailycommercial.com/story/opinion/columns/2020/10/02/scott-berry-vote-no-amendment-2-protect-businesses-jobs/5872861002/

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

• Online at Amendment2HurtsYou.com
• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

###

TALLAHASSEE – Since July, numerous Southwest Florida hospitality establishments achieved the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Seal of Commitment, demonstrating their dedication to enhanced safety and sanitation practices. The FRLA Seal of Commitment is a promise to guests that their safety is a priority and is designed to improve confidence to return to hotels and restaurants in a post COVID-19 environment. It is a symbol that a restaurant or hotel meets safety and sanitation standards as designated by FRLA and that staff are well-trained.

Since the launch of the program, 100 establishments have achieved the Seal, with dozens more in progress, representing the statewide commitment of the hospitality industry to the health and safety of employees and guests. Awarded establishments have invested considerable resources to prioritize the safety and health of the staff, guests, and establishment.

Of the first group of Seal of Commitment Designees, the following achievers are in the Southwest Florida Area:

• Bonita National HOA, Bonita Springs
• Shangri-La Springs/Harvest & Wisdom, Bonita Springs
• Lock N’ Key Restaurant and Pub, Englewood
• Sandbar Tiki & Grille, Englewood
• Farlow’s on the Water, Englewood
• Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café/Crowne Plaza, Fort Myers
• Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, Fort Myers
• Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, Naples
• Paradise Grill, Nokomis
• Pop’s Sunset Grill, Nokomis
• Burg’r Bar, Punta Gorda
• Village Fish Market and Restaurant, Punta Gorda
• Sanibel Moorings Resort, Sanibel
• Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice
• Fins at Sharky’s, Venice
• Snook Haven, Venice

“Employee and guest safety is paramount for Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, our hotels and restaurants adhered to strict sanitation, food safety, and training guidelines. With the Seal of Commitment program, we have built on the foundation of those excellent standards to do even more to ensure cleanliness and safety and help build consumer confidence. Establishments can display their awarded Seal as a promise to guests of their strict adherence to these rigorous standards.”

“We have continued to serve our customers throughout the pandemic by staying committed to keeping our guests and employees safe. When the FRLA Seal of Commitment provided an opportunity for further structured training, we were thrilled to be in the first 100 restaurants to complete it,” said Laurie Farlow, Owner of Farlow’s On The Water. “The value of continued and ongoing training is a vital part of excellent hospitality. It is a clear declaration that we’re doing all we can to keep everyone safe!”

“We take great pride in dedicating time and investing in resources to ensure our operations, staff, and guests remain safe and healthy,” said Lee Bellamy, general manager of Shangri-La Springs. “As a property focused on organic wellness, the Seal of Commitment reinforces that the well-being of our guests is always our top priority.”

Awarded establishments have completed rigorous safety and sanitation training. In a post COVID-19 atmosphere, when guests see an FRLA Seal of Commitment sticker on an establishment’s door, they can be confident that the business is committed to sanitation excellence and protecting employees and guests.

Visit https://frla.org/sealofcommitment/ to learn how to achieve the FRLA Seal of Commitment.

###