- April 26, 2024
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Early voting for the November general election begins in Volusia County on Oct. 19, and in addition to candidate races, voters will get to decide on six constitutional amendments.
During a Zoom into Eggs and Issues program hosted by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Sept. 10, members of the Florida Chamber of Commerce gave a rundown of how the upcoming election could impact businesses with issues at the local, state and federal level, including the state chamber's stances on the amendments.
Andrew Wiggins, senior director of political affairs and coalitions advocacy, said what the state of Florida is experiencing lately is groups creating constitutional amendments when policies fail during a legislative session.
One of the amendments the Florida Chamber opposes is Amendment 2, which aims to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour, effective Sept. 30, 2021, and then increases it annually until it reaches $15 in 2026. The chamber feels that the mandate would "negatively impact job growth, limit opportunities for entry-level workers, increase prices and increase financial pressures on Florida seniors," according its website.
“It is a measure that is extremely concerning to us, and many others in the business community of what it can do to our state and our economy, especially during COVID when things are very tough and tight," Wiggins said.
The Florida chamber also opposes Amendment 3, which if enacted, would allow all registered voters to vote in primary elections for state legislature, governor and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. Wiggins said this would "jumble" the primary elections process.
Amendment 4, however, is supported by the Florida Chamber. This one seeks to require constitutional amendments to be approved in two elections before being enacted.
The chamber did not take a position on Amendments 5 and 6, which respectively impact Save-Our-Homes benefits and allows a spouse of a deceased veteran who had combat-related disabilities to keep the ad valorem tax discount on a homesteaded property or transfer it to a new property. It also remained neutral in regards to Amendment 1, which further clarifies via changing the constitutional language that only U.S. citizens can vote in Florida elections.
Nicholas Catroppo, vice president of political operations, also spoke about the conversation occurring at the federal level regarding coronavirus liability protections for businesses. It's a reason why he said this election is important for the business community.
“That is something we hope the federal government is able to accomplish in this next COVID package, but it’s also that is going to need to be addressed at the state level," Catroppo said.
