[Marina1686]

A controversial piece of legislation has moved forward that would, if enacted, lower Florida’s state minimum wage to $2.13 for tipped employees.

The language of the Senate Bill 2106 describes it as “[a]n act relating to tipped employees” that intends on “authorizing an employer to elect to guarantee that all tipped employees receive a wage, including tips, equal to a minimum percentage of the state minimum wage.”

Essentially, SB 2106 would allegedly cut minimum wage for tipped workers from $4.65 to $2.13 per hour , while enforcing a stipulation that employees make at least $9.98 (Sure!!) per hour when tips are added into their total per-hour earnings.

If approved, the act would reportedly take effect on July 1. And on Thursday, the measure moved one step closer to succeeding when it was approved by the Commerce and Tourism Committee of the state Senate.

According to a fact sheet posted earlier this month by the National Employment Law Project on SB 2106, lowering the Florida state minimum wage would be an unconstitutional action.
“It violates Florida’s minimum wage constitutional amendment, which was enacted with the support of an overwhelming 72% of the state’s electorate in 2004,” the document states.

The Florida State Department of Labor corroborates this fact, stating that voters approved the amendment in 2004. It specifically stipulates that minimum wage was elevated to $6.15 per hour on May 2, 2005.

“In subsequent years, the state’s minimum wage will be adjusted annually to reflect the rate of inflation with the new minimum wage taking effect on January 1 of each year,” the website continues.

Some major players in industries employing minimum wage workers approve of the legislation. Carol Dover, the president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, told CBS Tampa that she supports and approves of the measure.

“The bill will create more opportunity in the restaurant industry while guaranteeing tipped employees a wage that’s 30 percent higher than the state’s current minimum wage,” she said in an emailed statement. “This plan will give Florida the dual advantage of offering the highest state wage guarantee in the country and offering employers more flexibility in how they compensate employees.” (Oh yea, so the manager can get a bigger bonus at the end of the year and corporations will get richer than they are)

CBS Tampa was informed that the Committee on Regulated Industries is now overseeing the measure. According to their official website, the committee oversees the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Calls made to committee representatives were not immediately returned.

Source: CBS Tampa

[kyle19125]

Typical GOP legislation trying to milk as much as possible out of the middle class. Meanwhile the corporate spin will be that they'll be able to offer more jobs to others, which we all know is never the case. The reality is if a company can't afford to pay an employee an extra $50 per week, raise your prices! They don't seem to ever have issue with that.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Typical GOP legislation trying to milk as much as possible out of the middle class. Meanwhile the corporate spin will be that they'll be able to offer more jobs to others, which we all know is never the case. The reality is if a company can't afford to pay an employee an extra $50 per week, raise your prices! They don't seem to ever have issue with that.

It would be good to hear from local restaurant owners and operators regarding this legislation, as well as waitstaff.

[vaughanwilliams]

The best Legislature money can buy. There's no way the knot heads in Tallahassee came up with this by themselves-I'll bet the the bill was written verbatim by the restaurant association.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

The best Legislature money can buy. There's no way the knot heads in Tallahassee came up with this by themselves-I'll bet the the bill was written verbatim by the restaurant association.

See above.


The Labor Law for Restaurant Servers & the Minimum Wage | eHow.com

Also, looking into this further, it seems FL is meeting the minimum federal standard of $2.13, while actually besting it by mandating $9.98 per hour

[stpeteguy]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

It would be good to hear from local restaurant owners and operators regarding this legislation, as well as waitstaff.

I've talked to waiters and waitresses about this and the overwhelming response seems to be a "what can I do about it" response. Those on the very bottom of the economic ladder have ZERO voice when it comes to legislation.

Servers can't afford lobbyists. They are too busy trying to put food on the table, pay rent and buy gas to worry about the shenanigans in Washington or the Tallahassee.

Just remember, GE(General Electric) made $5.1 Billion in profits last year and didn't pay a single penny in Federal Income tax last year.

Yet, people who are working for minimum wage have to pay more. How is that fair?

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by stpeteguy

I've talked to waiters and waitresses about this and the overwhelming response seems to be a "what can I do about it" response. Those on the very bottom of the economic ladder have ZERO voice when it comes to legislation.

Servers can't afford lobbyists. They are too busy trying to put food on the table, pay rent and buy gas to worry about the shenanigans in Washington or the Tallahassee.

Just remember, GE(General Electric) made $5.1 Billion in profits last year and didn't pay a single penny in Federal Income tax last year.

Yet, people who are working for minimum wage have to pay more. How is that fair?

With the new law, $9.98 is the minimum someone can make. Nearly $3 better than min wage. What is the actual fuss about?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

With the new law, $9.98 is the minimum someone can make. Nearly $3 better than min wage. What is the actual fuss about?

Because as a former tipped employee I can tell you that there has always been such a measure (guaranteeing a minimum) that has pretty much never been enforced (unclear as to who enforces, plus there's probably two people who do it), so of course the Restaurant lobbyists/paid-off legislators are proposing the $9.98 because they know they won't have to back it up. It's a win-win for them dropping the minimum wage and increasing the "guarantee".

[leftee]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

With the new law, $9.98 is the minimum someone can make. Nearly $3 better than min wage. What is the actual fuss about?

Exactly, and how many of these tipped employees actually report all of their tips on their taxes ?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by leftee

Exactly, and how many of these tipped employees actually report all of their tips on their taxes ?

About as many millionaires who report all of their assets for taxes. Once again, going after those who are struggling to get by while those who rig the system get off scot-free.