In this April 15, 2015, file photo, protesters march in support of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Less than three months after voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to raise Florida’s minimum wage, a Senate Republican on Wednesday filed a proposal that could lead to exceptions for some workers. The amendment, approved in the November election, will increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour on Sept. 30 and lead to annual increases until it is $15 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026. But Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, filed a proposal Wednesday that, if approved, would allow the Legislature to provide a reduced minimum wage for workers under age 21, for workers convicted of felonies, for state prisoners and for “other hard-to-hire employees.”The proposal (SJR 854) is filed for consideration during the legislative session that will start March 2. If passed, it would need voter approval in 2022 because it would change the state Constitution.

Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for 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. Two highest vote-getters advance to general election. Candidate’s party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Background and details of Amendment 3RELATED: ‘All Voters Vote’ amendment getting pushback

Raises the state’s minimum wage to $10 per hour effective Sept. 30, 2021, and increase it each Sept. 30 thereafter by $1 until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour on Sept. 30, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation. State and local government costs will increase to comply with the new minimum wage levels, estimated to cost about $16 million in 2022, increasing to about $540 million in 2027 and thereafter. Background and financial impact on Amendment 2A YES vote on Amendment 2 would: | A NO vote on Amendment 2 would: – Allow minimum wage workers in Florida to earn enough to afford basic household necessities including housing, food, transportation, child care and health care. – Help to reduce race and gender income inequality– Potentially increase economic activity by increasing household spending– Require small and large business owners to budget for increased payroll expenses– Potentially have little or no detrimental effect on job growth partly due to higher demand for goods and services generated by higher wage earners, and lower employer costs from less employee turnover, according to recent studies – Allow businesses to keep labor costs at current levels– Avoid potential labor cost impacts on the prices of consumer goods– Maintain low-paying positions for teenagers and young adults joining the labor marketCOVERAGE: Despite opposition, minimum wage amendment likely to pass | Minimum wage fight expected to be close