Lawmakers to Live on $17 a Day

A coalition of lawmakers backing a move to raise Florida’s minimum wage from $8.05 to $15 an hour plan to put their money where their mouths are this week. Or, more aptly, take it away.

At least 18 state senators and representatives have agreed to live off $17 a day for a one-week period beginning Sept. 28. That $17 represents the amount of money minimum wage employees have left after paying for taxes, childcare and housing, several media outlets are reporting. The lawmakers, who are mostly Democrat, also plan to accompany a minimum wage worker on a trip to a grocery store to see just how far earnings stretch.

State Rep. Victor Torres and Sen. Dwight Bullard have filed measures to raise the Sunshine State’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Bullard’s Senate version of the bill has been referred to the commerce and tourism, community affairs and appropriations committees. Should the measure pass, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

Torres’ House bill has also been referred to committees.

Check out the full text of the Senate bill on the Florida Senate’s website.

The push for a $15 minimum wage in Florida comes on the heels of several cities across the country making the move to raise pay. Places where a $15 minimum wage has passed include Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, among others.

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