Florida amendment would halt min. wage increase for ex-felons
Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes introduced an amendment this past week that would reduce the eventual $15 minimum wage rate for ex-felons and workers under 21. If passed, it would reduce the minimum wage rate for prisoners in the state correctional system, employees convicted of a felony, employees younger than 21, and “hard-to-hire” employees.
If Florida lawmakers approve the amendment, it would be on the ballot for Florida voters to decide in 2022.
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Just wow. I have said this before and I will say it again. Pay should not be allowed to be determined by a public vote. Period. People are voting on economics they don’t understand and on hate in this case. If we allow the public to determine wages then why not who?
I cant find a job as a convicted sex offender in this state anyway due in large part to lifetime probation. I had to create my own business or face homelessness. And the probation department has been very resistant to me having my own legitimate business because they have less control. So, even if the minimum wage was 100 dollars per hour, I couldn’t get it anyway.
To F Florida:
My Mom is a pastor and helps people. She use to know a guy who was on probation. He was disabled and could not work. His probation officer violated him for not getting a job. Not sure if it was because he was on probation or the fact he was also a registered sex offender but off to prison he went.
During his court appearance, he was sure the judge would accept the doctors testimony that he could not work. The judge stated, “The fact that you could show up for court means you can find some sort of work” and sent him back to prison.
Now the state and the tax payers are paying for his medical care. (Well what little care the dept of corrections provides anyway)
Of course judges know better than medical experts. That’s why there is a registry in the first place. Judges are not only the arbiters of right and wrong and of justice, but also are the supreme authority in determining what are facts, what is true, or whether a person is competent to stand trial and then later not competent to be a free citizen in a civil commitment hearing. They can cherry pick testimony as they please to bring about the outcome they desire, then sit smug at their “superior intellect” after doing so.
How did our founding fathers make such an error in judgement to create a framework wherein such people can exist?
How can they exist you ask? Because society sits on their ass, and allows it to transpire.
Why the pay difference? I remember when men and women were paid differently for the same work.
If they do the same work, why not pay them the same?
Pay should be based on the job, not who is doing the job. Otherwise, it becomes personal, not professional.
This has to be continued punishment for people with a past felony — unconstitutional.
I saw a video with Brandes on criminal justice reform. He did great until he was asked about Amendment 4. Then he could hardly look at the interviewer and had some trouble with his words as he described how he supported DeSantis in requiring all fines and fees be paid first. Brandes talks the talk but he remains a puppet for DeSantis.
It is unfortunate that a political leader can no longer make decisions on what is best for his/her constituents, but must follow the dictates of his/her political party.
At least its not solely targeted at registrants. But man. I have seen some real B.S. since this started but this is really just another level of WTF are they thinking? I mean what’s next? Go out and pick your choice of ex felon and take them back to your buisness for free slave labor?
This is just really special.
I’m somewhat at a loss as to how this would even be legal?
Should this even pass a vote, then again… Florida, I can just imagine the legal fallout as a result. I get that there’s a Federal minimum and the State has no say in that. To limit someone to make less than the average resident within the State is inhumane at best, vindictive at worst…
I’m curious to see what kind of political spin this gets as it contradicts the current Federal direction on reform.
Another question comes to mind, how would this benefit the State? What purpose is there to exclude anyone with a felony conviction from making the average minimum wage? The State isn’t paying these wages… Unless this news “story” forgot to mention that the Bill only covers those (few) that are currently incarcerated and being paid for their work?
After some further thought…
What is considered a “hard to hire” person?
Also read the part about employees outside of corrections employ
This is beyond stupid.
SC, I believe it benefits the state in the form of cheap labor, thereby making the state more business friendly. It’s the pre-civil war mentality of taking advantage of a powerless subclass to enrich the wealth of the powerful.
The rich will always seek to exploit others to their gain, it’s in their DNA.