Florida minimum wage to increase in January

Published:
MGN

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Florida’s minimum wage workers will be getting a boost in 2015.

The minimum wage will go from $7.93 to $8.05 on New Year’s Day.  It’s expected to benefit more than 360,000 low-wage workers.

Forty hours a week minimum wage workers can expect about $250 more a year with the increase but not everyone is pleased. The wage increase could also mean higher prices for things you buy.

Rob Bazemore owns a successful deli in the shadow of the state’s capitol. He says paying his employees 12 extra cents won’t make or break him, but customers have to understand that’s why prices go up sometimes.

“Twelve cents doesn’t sound like much but it has to come from somewhere, without raising prices or something I already buy going down, then that 12 cents comes directly out of my bottom line,” said Bazemore.

Florida TaxWatch says the jury is out on how much of an impact it can have on the state.

“Whether or not the money will be reinvested in the economy as additional spending dollars is yet to be seen,” said Morgan McCord.

Florida’s $8.05 minimum wage will be above the federal minimum of $7.25. Twenty other states will also be raising their wages.

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