In Florida students can begin earning college credit in HS through dual enrollment and they can also earn Bright Futures merit scholarships (based on HS GPA, test scores, volunteer hours) paid for by the state's lottery sale proceeds to use after graduation - both in college and in the trade schools. It's a terrific deal for students here in Florida.
The lower minimum wage also attracts businesses to Florida which means more jobs and more opportunities for full time restaurant/retail employees to advance in their jobs. That is also a good deal for workers even if it might take some time on the job to advance. People can and do support themselves on fast food and retail wages here in the state of Florida.
Jacking up the minimum wage to $15/hr over the next 5 years might seem like a great idea. But when businesses pull out of Florida or shut down altogether that will take away both jobs and advancement opportunities. It will also raise the cost of goods/services/housing across the board. After all, if a burger flipper gets $15/hr, jobs requiring college degrees will need to pay much better than that. Rents go up, services get pricier, goods get more expensive and the low wage earners and retirees living on a fixed income are worse off than before.
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