$15 Minimum Wage Should be Less for Some People, Lawmaker Says

In 2020, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, the minimum wage amendment.  Touted as the $15 per hour minimum wage, it is a gradual increase over the next five years.    This year, it will jump to $10 per hour, then next year $11 per hour, and so on and so forth, until 2026 when it reaches $15 per hour.    However, Republican State Sen. Jeff Brandes wants a constitutional amendment that would limit the starting wage for former convicted felons, teenagers and "hard to hire" employees.   He explains why he wants to give these groups of people a temporary training wage, which he says that they will eventually get to minimum wage.   Plus, he also explains why he supports legalizing marijuana in Florida. IN THIS EPISODE State Sen. Jeff Brandes' Twitter: @JeffreyBrandes ABOUT THE SHOW Political figures and influencers are often heard in brief bites that don't capture the context of the whole story. "Central Florida: Beyond the Soundbite" expands the conversation with these newsmakers along the I-4 corridor and beyond. Join award-winning Spectrum News 13 anchor and Orlando Woman of the Year Ybeth Bruzual, political reporter Greg Angel, and veteran producer Gary Darling for a must-hear interview each week and learn about the issues affecting Central Florida.