FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida attorney who pushed the state initiative legalizing medical marijuanahas a new target -- increasing the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour.
John Morgan told an Orlando news conference Tuesday that he is submitting 120,000 signatures to get an initiative on the state's 2020 ballot, well over the 76,000 verified signatures required.
The measure calls for raising the state's current minimum wage from $8.46 an hour to $10 in 2021 with $1 an hour increases annually until it reaches $15 in 2026.
Morgan said the increase will benefit companies through lower turnover and help taxpayers as the government won't have to subsidize low-income workers through welfare payments.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' office declined immediate comment. The Florida Chamber of Commerce said small businesses would be hurt by "another new mandate," adding the state should focus on job training.
NOW: @JohnMorganESQ explains why he believes $15 dollar minimum wage will help the middle class. He’s hoping to get an amendment on the ballot to steadily increase minimum wage in FL from $8.46 to $15 @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/Q68MkIooFx
— Nadeen Yanes (@NadeenNews6) January 22, 2019
#FightFor15: Work With Dignity https://t.co/im0z3zBdVp
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) January 22, 2019