Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted a new law that permits minor league baseball players to receive wages below the state’s minimum wage. The bill, known as SB 892, was signed into law by Governor DeSantis on Monday after it gained unanimous approval in the Republican-controlled state senate. Most Democrats in the Florida House opposed the measure.
Governor DeSantis, a Republican who recently announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is likely to face increased scrutiny regarding his governance of the state as he campaigns for the White House.
The passage of SB 892 ensures that Florida aligns with a federal exemption to the minimum wage, which was established by Congress during the renewal of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 2018. This exemption granted Major League Baseball (MLB) the ability to pay minor league players below the federal minimum wage.
The federal minimum wage currently stands at $7.25 per hour. However, in 2020, Florida passed a constitutional amendment raising its minimum wage to $10 per hour, with subsequent annual increases of $1 until it reaches $15 per hour in 2026. As a result, Florida’s minimum wage exceeds the federal minimum, potentially requiring MLB owners to pay minor league players more than the federal rate within the state.
While Florida’s minimum wage is currently $11, rising to $12 on September 30, the legislation signed by Governor DeSantis allows the MLB to continue paying minor league players less than the federal minimum wage.
Republican Senator Jonathan Martin, the bill’s sponsor, argues that minor league players receive housing, transportation, and breakfast, ensuring they are not struggling to meet their basic needs. Martin states that the opportunity given to these players in exchange for their time allows them to create significant wealth for future generations.
However, Democratic State Representative Ashley Gantt, who opposed the legislation, emphasizes the importance of providing a living wage for everyone, regardless of their occupation, to ensure they can afford essential goods like groceries.
Investigative reporter Jason Garcia, who previously claimed that MLB was lobbying in favor of the bill, criticized its passage on Twitter. He highlighted the connection between the legislation and a $1 million donation made by billionaire Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade and owner of the Chicago Cubs, to Governor DeSantis’ gubernatorial account in February, according to a report from Politico.
