Miami Beach Approves Raise In Minimum Wage To $13.31
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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) -- Commissioners in Miami Beach unanimously approved an ordinance to raise the minimum living wage.
The ordinance - proposed by Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine - establishes a city-wide minimum wage of $13.31 making it the first city in Florida to do this.
The mayor said it was something needed to address a growing gap for those living and working in the South Florida.
"Today, my colleagues joined me in passing legislation that addresses the growing gap between wages and the cost of living in South Florida by establishing a minimum living wage for our community," said Levine.
The ordinance comes at a time where the costs of living in Miami Beach is one of the highest in the country.
Minimum wage is currently at $8.05 per hour as mandated by the State of Florida's Minimum Wage Act. The ordinance now allows for a gradual increase of the minimum for all workers employed in the city to $13.31 over a period of four years.
The way it would work is, the city's minimum wage would be changed to $10.31 per hour starting in 2018. From then on, there would be an increase of $1 dollar per hour for each year - eventually reaching $13.31 by 2021. Once that happens, the city commission can reconsider each year if they need to increase the minimum wage.
The newly approved ordinance will take effect January 1, 2018 Raise Minimum Wage To $13.31.
