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

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**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:

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

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