Florida lawmakers passed a bill that blocks local governments from implementing heat stress protections for outdoor workers. Lobbyists, including those from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, were involved in pushing for this bill, which also prevents living wage laws. A construction industry lobbyist emphasized the importance of passing the bill during the legislative session. The bill's passing was crucial for industry lobbyists, as demonstrated by their urgent communication with lawmakers' staff. Following the bill's signing by DeSantis, the U.S. Department of Labor cited a Palm Beach company for a heat-related worker death, highlighting the potential consequences of such legislation.
This bill preempting heat stress protections, local living wages ordinances, and predictive scheduling laws was such a priority for industry lobbyists that one of them texted the chief of staff for the Florida House Speaker this: “I haven’t texted you in weeks–HEAT cannot die.” https://t.co/zOIRT6pNEO
Days after DeSantis signed the bill blocking any local heat protections for workers, the @USDOL cited a Palm Beach company for the heat-related death of a Mexican worker last September. He died of a heat stroke in a sugarcane field. https://t.co/LJ99HhQGZx https://t.co/XD3Afiug8v
ICYMI: A Florida bill that prevents local governments from mandating heat safety protections for workers almost didn't pass. Records show, business lobbyists scrambled to get it across the finish line. “I haven’t texted you in weeks—HEAT cannot die” https://t.co/g8TSS9NQxA
But workers can die from heat stress for all the Florida Legislature cares. Truly disgusting. https://t.co/lQGSZveQXK
On the final night of Florida's 2024 legislative session, a construction industry lobbyist DEMANDED lawmakers pass a bill blocking local heat-safety rules. "HEAT cannot die," the lobbyist texted the House Speaker's chief of staff. via @SheCarriesOn: https://t.co/bH6hP2fmfh
Local governments in Florida were considering heat stress protections for outdoor workers. Lobbyists for the Florida Chamber of Commerce worked with state lawmakers to preempt these life saving protections from being enacted with this bill that also blocks living wage laws. https://t.co/bjCqnJWpP0