1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose House Bill 221, sponsored by Representative Ryan Chamberlin, which would allow workers to "opt out" of minimum wage protections. This legislation directly undermines the constitutional amendment Florida voters approved to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026. When citizens exercise their constitutional right to establish labor standards through the ballot box, the legislature should respect that decision rather than create loopholes to circumvent it. The concept of "voluntary" wage reduction is fundamentally flawed in practice. Workers, particularly younger and less experienced individuals, face inherent power imbalances when negotiating with employers. A young person desperate for their first job or work experience will feel enormous pressure to accept subminimum wages, even if framed as optional. This creates a race to the bottom where employers can effectively coerce workers into waiving their rights by making such waivers a condition of employment, whether stated explicitly or implied through hiring practices. Florida voters understood that minimum wage protections exist precisely because the labor market does not naturally produce fair wages for all workers. Young workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation. They often lack knowledge of their rights, fear retaliation, and have limited bargaining power. HB 221 would legalize paying these workers less than what Floridians determined was the minimum acceptable compensation for labor in our state. This bill sets a dangerous precedent. If the legislature can create opt-out provisions for minimum wage, what other voter-approved protections might be next? The constitutional amendment was clear in its intent, and this attempt to undermine it disrespects both the democratic process and the economic security of Florida workers. I strongly urge you to vote against HB 221 and stand with Florida voters who clearly expressed their support for stronger wage protections, not weaker ones.