FLORIDA MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE On January 1, 2018 the minimum wage in Florida will increase 15 cents to an hourly salary of $8.25. The minimum wage for tipped employees is also increasing from $5.08 to $5.23 per hour. The state’s minimum wage is based on the percentage increase in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the South Region for the 12-month period prior to September 1, 2017. The federal minimum wage has remained unchanged since 2009 at $7.25.
ONLINE VOTING REGISTRATION As of September 30th, Florida offers an online option for citizens to register to vote. Mandated by the Legislature in 2015, Florida residents with a valid driver’s license or state identification card and the last four digits of their social security number may apply at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. The applications will be forwarded to the proper county supervisor of elections office, which will then verify the information and issue a voting card. It will have English and Spanish registration sites and tools for the disabled.
LICENSE-FREE FISHING In recognition of Florida law enforcement officers and first responders work preparing for and responding to Hurricane Irma, Governor Scott announced the waiver of freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses through June 30, 2018. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is also offering free day-passes to state parks that can be used on an unlimited basis until October 2018 for all law enforcement officers, first responders and utility workers.