Politics Florida's Plan to Replace Migrant Workers With Children Falls Apart

[SlyPokerDog]

A bill that would have loosened child labor laws in Florida has died in the state Senate.

The proposal came as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, touted using teenagers as a replacement for the labor of migrants who are in the country illegally.

Newsweek has contacted DeSantis' office for comment via email.

Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has pledged to deport millions of people in the United States with no legal status, while critics say deportations on such a scale could lead to labor shortages.

The bill would have permitted 16- and 17-year-olds to work overnight on school days and work longer than an eight-hour day before a school day. Some 14- and 15-year-olds would also have been allowed to work those hours.

Proponents said the bill aligned with federal child labor law and would help combat labor shortages, but critics warned that it posed serious risks of exploitation.

What to Know
If approved, Senate Bill 918 would have removed restrictions on the number of hours that 16- and 17-year-olds can work per week during the school year.

It would also have scrapped required 30-minute meal breaks and allowed children as young as 14 who are homeschooled or enrolled in virtual school to work overnight shifts.

Under Florida law, 16- and 17-year-olds are limited to up to 30 hours a week of work when school is in session unless a parent or school superintend waives that restriction. They also cannot work before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. on a school day.

The language in the bill came from staff within DeSantis' office, Orlando Weekly reported, citing records it obtained.

Supporters of the measure included Moms for Liberty and the National Federation of Independent Business. However, the legislation faced opposition from the Florida AFL-CIO, the state's largest federation of labor unions. Its opponents also included the American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP and student activist groups.

The bill was approved by the Florida House in April, largely along party lines.

However, the Senate version of the bill failed to advance before Florida's legislative session concluded on Friday.

What People Are Saying
Republican state Senator Jay Collins, the bill's sponsor, said the measure was about parental rights: "We should let them say what's best for their kids at 16- to 17-year-olds, that's what we're saying by this."

Republican state Senator Joe Gruters said: "I think we need to let kids be kids."

Governor Ron DeSantis said during a panel discussion in March: "Why do we say we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when, you know, teenagers used to work at these resorts, college students should be able to do this stuff? … What's wrong with expecting our young people to be working part-time now? I mean, that's how it used to be when I was growing up."

What Happens Next
The bill to loosen child labor laws in Florida is effectively dead, but it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will pursue it in a future session.

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-plan-replace-migrant-workers-children-falls-apart-2068584

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The bill would have permitted 16- and 17-year-olds to work overnight on school days and work longer than an eight-hour day before a school day. Some 14- and 15-year-olds would also have been allowed to work those hours.

It would also have scrapped required 30-minute meal breaks and allowed children as young as 14 who are homeschooled or enrolled in virtual school to work overnight shifts.

Supporters of the measure included Moms for Liberty

 

[Chris Craig]

What a shit bill. Glorified child labor. Long hours. Nighttime shifts alone. No lunch. Wtf?!

 

[Phatguysrule]

Insanity. Literally trying to get the kids to drop out of high school and work in the fields.

 

[Hoopguru]

Insanity. Literally trying to get the kids to drop out of high school and work in the fields.

Durring the summer, when I was 12 I'd be up at 5am catching a berry bus then later beans. Did this for number of years, flex for playing ball and no week-ends. At 15 I started bussing tables at Riverside West restaurant on Front street down tow. Took a bus.
While in hs early mid sixites the drop out rate was pretty high and many of them went in service at 17 or worked.

 

[Hoopguru]

I think all kids 13-15 must work at least 20 hours a week somewhere during summer. Its the younger years they learn a work ethic not late 20's/30's.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Durring the summer, when I was 12 I'd be up at 5am catching a berry bus then later beans. Did this for number of years, flex for playing ball and no week-ends. At 15 I started bussing tables at Riverside West restaurant on Front street down tow. Took a bus.
While in hs early mid sixites the drop out rate was pretty high and many of them went in service at 17 or worked.

Exactly this. Dropout rates would skyrocket.

In Finland there are no dropout rates. Not the dropout rates are low. Everybody graduates.

There's no reason any of our kids should drop out. We're the wealthiest country in the world.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Durring the summer, when I was 12 I'd be up at 5am catching a berry bus then later beans. Did this for number of years, flex for playing ball and no week-ends. At 15 I started bussing tables at Riverside West restaurant on Front street down tow. Took a bus.
While in hs early mid sixites the drop out rate was pretty high and many of them went in service at 17 or worked.

My brothers and I did the exact same thing, strawberries, beans and raspberries. It sucked. When I graduated from grade school (still 13 years old) on a Friday, my dad told me to enjoy the weekend because on the following Monday I was starting 40 hour work weeks until school started in the fall. The next three months (and every summer after that until I went into the Navy) were spent tearing out furnaces and boilers, snorting soot and asbestos and trying to stay awake at the dinner table. The only "good" part was being able to "sleep in" until almost seven, instead of getting up at five. It was a struggle for a punk kid, but I learned how to work, and all the other lessons that came with a job. It kept my brothers and I out of trouble and put money in our pockets. But the bottom line is in the end it's up to the parents (and the kids). It's not up to the state to force kids to work or to create onerous conditions that abuse kids who do want to work. Loosening up the restrictions are a gold plated invitation to abuse. DeSantis is just another out of touch, fascist POS that will do whatever it takes to try and stay relevant.......

 

[e_blazer]

Exactly this. Dropout rates would skyrocket.

In Finland there are no dropout rates. Not the dropout rates are low. Everybody graduates.

There's no reason any of our kids should drop out. We're the wealthiest country in the world.

But we also lead most of the world in stupid representatives per capita.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I think all kids 13-15 must work at least 20 hours a week somewhere during summer. Its the younger years they learn a work ethic not late 20's/30's.

Disagree. I think kids should be kids and get to enjoy their best years. Kids can show their work ethic through their schooling/studies. It doesnt have to be a crappy job. Had an ex gf tell me in high school how much more mature she was than me because she had a crappy job at a local restaurant after school.

My work ethic today is a billion times stronger than hers. I've been in high level management and technical positions sometimes working up to 80 hours a week. That was mostly done throughout my 20's and 30's. I demoted myself last year back to 40/week so I can actually enjoy time with my kids.

 

[Hoopguru]

Exactly this. Dropout rates would skyrocket.

In Finland there are no dropout rates. Not the dropout rates are low. Everybody graduates.

There's no reason any of our kids should drop out. We're the wealthiest country in the world.

OI donthink many dio as compared tp years ago, as there are magnet schools, and other types offered for kids.

 

[barfo]

I demoted myself last year back to 40/week so I can actually enjoy time with my kids.

If you'd just send them off to work in the fields or factories, you could still be working 80 hour weeks.

barfo

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

If you'd just send them off to work in the fields or factories, you could still be working 80 hour weeks.

barfo

https://princeea.com/millennial-dad...r-kids-than-previous-generations-study-finds/

Millennial Dads Spend 3 Times As Much Time With Their Kids Than Previous Generations – Study Finds

 

[Hoopguru]

My brothers and I did the exact same thing, strawberries, beans and raspberries. It sucked. When I graduated from grade school (still 13 years old) on a Friday, my dad told me to enjoy the weekend because on the following Monday I was starting 40 hour work weeks until school started in the fall. The next three months (and every summer after that until I went into the Navy) were spent tearing out furnaces and boilers, snorting soot and asbestos and trying to stay awake at the dinner table. The only "good" part was being able to "sleep in" until almost seven, instead of getting up at five. It was a struggle for a punk kid, but I learned how to work, and all the other lessons that came with a job. It kept my brothers and I out of trouble and put money in our pockets. But the bottom line is in the end it's up to the parents (and the kids). It's not up to the state to force kids to work or to create onerous conditions that abuse kids who do want to work. Loosening up the restrictions are a gold plated invitation to abuse. DeSantis is just another out of touch, fascist POS that will do whatever it takes to try and stay relevant.......

Something funny, My wide and I were taking a drive up hwy 212 through Damascus and I spotted a sign that read "Paradise Acres" Garden and landscape, the very same place and name that used to be berry fields and cows. That brought back memories! 64 years ago...

 

[barfo]

https://princeea.com/millennial-dad...r-kids-than-previous-generations-study-finds/

Millennial Dads Spend 3 Times As Much Time With Their Kids Than Previous Generations – Study Finds

I would not have thought that children could even survive 3 times as many beatings.

barfo

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Something funny, My wide and I were taking a drive up hwy 212 through Damascus and I spotted a sign that read "Paradise Acres" Garden and landscape, the very same place and name that used to be berry fields and cows. That brought back memories! 64 years ago...

It is a great nursery. Nice people. Sounded like they really needed some help a few months ago.

 

[crandc]

Kids during summer having jobs, fine. Kids taking place of adults isn't.
Don't make summer jobs mandatory FFS!
I absolutely hated high school so took required subjects in summer in order to graduate in 3 years. I think that was better for me than picking oranges. Oh, also did babysitting which I hated and house cleaning.

 

[Phatguysrule]

OI donthink many dio as compared tp years ago, as there are magnet schools, and other types offered for kids.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school_dropouts_in_the_United_States

Somewhere around 1 million dropouts per year in the US

 

[Phatguysrule]

https://princeea.com/millennial-dad...r-kids-than-previous-generations-study-finds/

Millennial Dads Spend 3 Times As Much Time With Their Kids Than Previous Generations – Study Finds

I've deliberately not worked over 40 hours a week (and avoided long commutes) whenever possible so that I can spend that extra time with my kids.

We don't have a lot of money. But I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

 

[Hoopguru]

Disagree. I think kids should be kids and get to enjoy their best years. Kids can show their work ethic through their schooling/studies. It doesnt have to be a crappy job. Had an ex gf tell me in high school how much more mature she was than me because she had a crappy job at a local restaurant after school.

My work ethic today is a billion times stronger than hers. I've been in high level management and technical positions sometimes working up to 80 hours a week. That was mostly done throughout my 20's and 30's. I demoted myself last year back to 40/week so I can actually enjoy time with my kids.

I commend you! I have 14 grandkids within spitting distance, some are in that 13-15 range all super kids. A few of them are so into games to get them to help out is like pulling teeth. Parents both work and are pretty easy on them for pulling weight around the house and such. A few of the others also like games and play sports, but are responsible for chores, like yard work, feeding livestock, and helping out when asked. It takes all type to have a family and community. Love them all the same....Have a neighbor gal single full time working mom with three teenagers and ive evre seen them mow the lawn put garbage/ recycling out or help mom with groceries when she's been to costco.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I've deliberately not worked over 40 hours a week, and avoided long commutes, whenever possible so that I can spend that extra time with my kids.

We don't have a lot of money. But I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

Super screwed up story, but have you seen Three Identical Strangers?



The boys were adopted. One to upper class, one to white collar middle class and one to blue collar. The boy from the blue collar family that had his dad around most seemed happiest. It was an experiment by an adoption agency. Super fucked up.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I commend you! I have 14 grandkids within spitting distance, some are in that 13-15 range all super kids. A few of them are so into games to get them to help out is like pulling teeth. Parents both work and are pretty easy on them for pulling weight around the house and such. A few of the others also like games and play sports, but are responsible for chores, like yard work, feeding livestock, and helping out when asked. It takes all type to have a family and community. Love them all the same....Have a neighbor gal single full time working mom with three teenagers and ive evre seen them mow the lawn put garbage/ recycling out or help mom with groceries when she's been to costco.

One of the worst things I've seen from parents is when they do everything for their kids. You gotta let your kids learn and make mistakes. I was kinda neglected a bit as a kid but I learned how to survive and take care of things myself.

I'm always there to help my kids (and my wife stays at home for now) but I try to teach instead of just do for them.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Super screwed up story, but have you seen Three Identical Strangers?



The boys were adopted. One to upper class, one to white collar middle class and one to blue collar. The boy from the blue collar family that had his dad around most seemed happiest. It was an experiment by an adoption agency. Super fucked up.

Yes, we watching that. You could almost get past how fucked up it was when it got super fun. Then it got even more fucked up.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

All of you who have posted and shared in this thread, I've come to appreciate and respect over the years. Your youth work stories, your origin stories, are fun to read. But let's not miss, IMO, the real story here.

Illegal immigrants are an exploitable workforce. The ONLY job they're coming to this country and "taking" from an American is drug dealer. The rest are being hired or employed by people who don't want to pay wages and benefits high enough to attract legal workers. An illegal gets hurt on the job, who do they complain to? Their wages are stolen or illegally withheld; who do they complain to? If an illegal starts to complain, you can just call ICE on them.

Now, this is starting to hurt the employers who exploit these people. So what do we do? We find a new, dumb, naive, easily exploitable workforce, and that's our children. This isn't about teaching kids a work ethic; this is about people and businesses whose business model is based on exploitation.

Since 2021, 12 states have reduced or rolled back their child labor laws.

Of these 12 states, 5 have raised their minimum wages but... not for workers under 18.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Trump Voter Gets Choked Up After ICE Detains a Third of His Staff

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/ar-AA1GzzTn

 

[Chris Craig]

All of you who have posted and shared in this thread, I've come to appreciate and respect over the years. Your youth work stories, your origin stories, are fun to read. But let's not miss, IMO, the real story here.

Illegal immigrants are an exploitable workforce. The ONLY job they're coming to this country and "taking" from an American is drug dealer. The rest are being hired or employed by people who don't want to pay wages and benefits high enough to attract legal workers. An illegal gets hurt on the job, who do they complain to? Their wages are stolen or illegally withheld; who do they complain to? If an illegal starts to complain, you can just call ICE on them.

Now, this is starting to hurt the employers who exploit these people. So what do we do? We find a new, dumb, naive, easily exploitable workforce, and that's our children. This isn't about teaching kids a work ethic; this is about people and businesses whose business model is based on exploitation.

Since 2021, 12 states have reduced or rolled back their child labor laws.

Of these 12 states, 5 have raised their minimum wages but... not for workers under 18.

I bet those 12 states are all red states

 

[Chris Craig]

Trump Voter Gets Choked Up After ICE Detains a Third of His Staff

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/ar-AA1GzzTn

Again, I'm all for immigration. If someone is hear illegally, if they are doing criminal shit, deport them. If someone is here on a legal visa, going through the proper channels, trying to do the right thing...deporting them makes no sense.

Immigrants are the backbone of our economy. They take the jobs no one else wants. Working in the fields, in factories, etc.

Removing them if they are here legally is just going to hurt our country.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Again, I'm all for immigration. If someone is hear illegally, if they are doing criminal shit, deport them. If someone is here on a legal visa, going through the proper channels, trying to do the right thing...deporting them makes no sense.

Immigrants are the backbone of our economy. They take the jobs no one else wants. Working in the fields, in factories, etc.

Removing them if they are here legally is just going to hurt our country.

There is a one to two trillion dollar surplus in our economy that we can't account for (maybe even more now because when I found out about this it was around a decade ago). I believe I heard it on the freakinomics podcast.

One popular thought from many economists was that this surplus was the impossible to track impact of illegal immigration. Not the full impact of illegal immigration (because you can kind of track some of that). This would just be the stuff that you can't track.

 

[RR7]

I know we've touched on it here somewhere before, but republicans are all for trickle down economics, so what we need in these instances are trickle down law enforcement. Why are we going after the people coming here trying to work hard? There's people that are clearly paying them, illegally, and benefitting from skirting labor laws. So why is that going unchecked? A chunk of that is likely farm labor where maybe those people are already sucking on the government teet. Maybe it's a big fuck you, figure out how to grow stuff and make a profit without a handout and illegal labor. OR, if that can't be done, and it needs govt. subsidies and cheap labor, maybe just maybe capitalism isn't the best method for essential things?

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

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