3/25/03
E Messenger
The Electronic Newsletter of the Florida AFL-CIO

Lawmakers Prepare to Outlaw Living Wage Ordinances
WE CAN STOP THEM TODAY!

Last week the House State Administration Committee voted unanimously to send HB 321 to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.  This legislation would make local living wage ordinances illegal under Florida Law.  Unions, local businesses and social justice organizations have organized living wage campaigns all over the country with great success.  Living wage ordinances have become a major tool in the struggle to improve the lives of all working families and foster responsible local economic development.   During the House committee debate, Representative Attkisson, the bill's sponsor argued that "Local government has one job…to ensure the public's safety, they have no business zoning or setting fees or telling local businesses how to operate."  He went on, "local government should exist to make business prosper…only."  He also stated that living wage laws amounted to a "government subsidy" that rewarded poor performance!

SB 54 by Senator Constantine is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Comprehensive Planning Committee Tomorrow (Wed. 3/26) at 11:15 AM .

All of the research on the impact of the over 70 living wage ordinances across the country show that these laws help local economies and DO NOT   contribute to job loss. 

There are over 10 university studies of living wage ordinances which indicate that they can help communities, improve schools, promote economic development and attract businesses that pay higher wages.  A strong coalition of low-wage businesses is pushing this legislation.

The Legislature is attempting to create more BIG GOVERNMENT by taking control away from local governments.  If people in a community want a living wage ordinance to help develop their local economies, they deserve the right to do so.

CALL OR EMAIL THESE SENATORS NOW!
TELL THEM YOU BELIEVE IN LOCAL CONTROL - VOTE "NO" ON SB 54

Senate Committee on Comprehensive Planning
Steven Geller ( Ch. , D) (850) 487-5097       Larcenia Bullard (D) (850) 487-5127
Daniel Webster (V-Ch., R) (850) 487-5047 Skip Campbell, Jr. (D) (850) 487-5094
Nancy Argenziano (R) (850) 487-5017        Lee Constantine (R) (850) 487- 5050
Mike Bennett (R) (850) 487-5486        Bill Posey (R) (850) 487-5053

To email these Senators check out our website at www.flaflcio.org.  Make sure you type "VOTE NO ON SB 54" in the subject line.