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John Morgan Aims For A $15 An Hour Minimum Wage

Attorney John Morgan speaking to Tampa Tiger Bay Club members at The Cuban Club in Ybor City.
Erin O'Brien
/
WUSF Public Media
Attorney John Morgan speaking to Tampa Tiger Bay Club members at The Cuban Club in Ybor City.

High-profile Orlando attorney John Morgan is going to fight to increase the minimum wage for Floridians. Morgan claimed it at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club where he delivered a speech about his campaign on the legalization of medical marijuana and his future projects.

Florida’s self-proclaimed “Pot Daddy”, Morgan played a major role in the legalization of marijuana in 2016. He said it was one of the best things he’s ever done in his life.

Shortly after Morgan’s success, in 2017, former Gov. Rick Scott signed in a law that prohibited the smoking of marijuana, even if it was being used medicinally. Morgan claims that this violated the state constitution.

“They tried to drag me around, but then I sued the state of Florida,” said Morgan. “I want the madness to end, I want the arrests to end, and I want people to be able to grow in their backyard.

Morgan said he has finally “slayed the medical marijuana dragon” and wants to focus on what speaks to him, minimum wage.

“40 percent of Americans do not have $400 in case of an emergency,” said Morgan. “Air conditioning goes out in your home and you can’t fix it. Guess what? I was one of those people. My air conditioner went off in Winter Park one time and was down for three years.” Recounting his past struggles, Morgan says he can relate to the powerless and helpless people he is fighting for.

 “I had a terrible family life growing up,” Morgan said. “It was so bad that we had to leave Kentucky for a new life in Florida. I cried all the way to Florida.”

 The minimum wage in Florida is $8.46 per hour. Morgan said his proposal for raising the minimum wage is simple. 

 “We first go to $10 the first year then $11 then $12 and $13 and $14 then $15,” he explained. “I don't want this to be cold turkey, I want to give people a chance to work it all out.”

 Morgan last spoke with TTBC members back in 2017. 

 “It is good to be back,” said Morgan. “I had some of my greatest times here, you all honed my debating skills gave me good messages.”

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Erin O’Brien is a WUSF/USF Zimmerman School digital news intern for summer 2019.