Commissioner Monestime seeks to preserve the County’s Living Wage and Responsible Wages programs
MIAMI-DADE – On Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jean Monestime opposing Senate Bill 1124 and House Bill 943, or similar legislation, that would preempt any political subdivision from imposing a wage mandate on an employer in an amount greater than the state minimum wage rate.
The passage of this legislation during the Florida Legislature’s 2022 session would impact Miami-Dade County’s Living Wage and Responsible Wages programs. The County’s Living Wage requirement applies to certain service contracts valued greater than $100,000.00 and to all service contractors at Miami-Dade Aviation Department facilities regardless of contract value. The County’s Responsible Wages and Benefits program for construction contracts, which applies to competitively-bid construction contracts valued greater than $100,000.00, mandates minimum payment of specified wages to employees performing work on County construction contracts and for privately funded construction on County-owned land. Wages under these programs exceed the state’s current minimum wage rate of $10.00 per hour.
“We must be fully cognizant of the reality that the cost of living in Miami-Dade County is higher than in other parts of the State of Florida,” said Commissioner Monestime. “Especially at a time when many of our residents are struggling to feed their families and maintain their housing, it is our responsibility to help safeguard their livelihoods by ensuring County contractors continue to pay fair wages.”
Certified copies of this resolution will be transmitted to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Senator Joe Gruters, Representative Joe Harding, and the Chair and members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation. The County’s state lobbyists were also directed to advocate against this legislation, and the Board’s 2022 State Legislative Package was further amended to include this item.