Elections matter and the South Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy and Economic Development Committee along with the Board of Directors have reviewed the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and have voted to take positions on three of the six proposed amendments. The committee and board take constitutional amendments very seriously and they believe the number of amendments presented dilutes the constitution. It is the belief of the committee that the majority of these amendments could and should be handled at the legislative level rather than added to the ballot.
Amendment 2 – Raising Florida’s Minimum wage
Official Ballot Summary: Raises the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30, 2021. Each September 30 thereafter, the minimum wage shall increase by $1.00 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30, 2027.
South Lake Chamber Position: Oppose
If passed, this amendment would make Florida the first and only state in the nation with a $15 an hour mandate in its state constitution, ensuring jobs lost
due to the pandemic will not return, and businesses already devastated by the effects of the virus may never bounce back. This will slow Florida’s
economic recovery and hurt the very people the special interest behind this scam claims it helps.
The Chamber is not opposed to fair wages or a wage increase, however, we believe that an amendment to the constitution is not equivalent to what a fair wage should be and do not believe that a wage that is set in 2021 would be a fair wage in 2027. We feel local businesses, especially our member businesses already set the tone on a fair wage.
Amendment 3 – All Voters Vote in a Primary Election for State Legislature, Governor and Cabinet
Official Ballot Summary: Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for the state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. The two highest vote-getters advance to the general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held and the winner is determined in the general election. Candidate’s party affiliation may appear on the ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024.
South Lake Chamber Position: Oppose
Amendment 4 – Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Official Ballot Summary: Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the state constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections.
South Lake Chamber Position: Oppose
The Chamber believes there are too many amendments to the constitution and the process of proposing amendments to the constitution is too easy. Florida averages four to five amendments on the ballot per election cycle. The proposed amendment recommends each amendment must pass through two election cycles before being adopted into the constitution. This proposed amendment would not be effective in limiting the number of amendments, rather, it would continue to push forward amendments that should be handled at the legislative level.
For additional information on the 2020 amendments, please visit the following pages: