By Dominique Cantelme
From the January/February 2021 Issue
Since the beginning of 2020 we have been dealing with unknown and unwanted territory. COVID troubles, civil unrest and election issues teamed up against us. Now we need to do what we can for whoever we can. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has allowed his state’s businesses to reopen and wheels are turning with the goal of an economic rebound.
Like many others, Florida lawmakers are exploring relief measures that the legislature could pass to prevent more business closures and layoffs. Some options include waiving the state’s business rent tax and suspending collection of corporation renewal fees until 2022.
In addition, the November election saw a majority of voters in Florida approve Amendment 2 to the Florida Constitution, which raises the minimum wage rate over the next six years from its current rate of $8.56 per hour to $15 per hour—with the first stage taking effect in September 2021 with an increase to $10 per hour.
Whether any of the State’s current, upcoming or potential solutions will have the intended impact…only time will tell. And if we learned anything from the new year, it may be a while. Remember cheering on 2021 only to realize that so far it’s just like 2020?
One thing is for sure though: the Sunshine State will shine once again.
