JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — State lawmakers are paid about $30,000 a year for serving in the state Legislature, but financial disclosure reports with the state show some Jacksonville-area state lawmakers are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each.
According to the state reports, the eight Jacksonville-area legislators are worth more than $4 million in total.
State Rep. Jay Fant reported the highest net worth locally at $879,900.
State Sen. Audrey Gibson reported the lowest net worth at $14,042.
State Sen. Aaron Bean and Rep. Charles McBurney both reported more than $750,000 in net worth, while Rep. Lake Ray reported $610,000.
State Rep. Janet Adkins reported just under $565,000, and Rep. Reggie Fullwood reported just more than $392,00.
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Rep. Mia Jones reported $65,631.
“They don’t have a clue,” taxpayer Barbara Stroud said. “They don’t live in the real world.”
Nassau County homeowner Stroud said she believes there is a disconnect between the wealthier lawmakers and the people they serve, who she said often live paycheck to paycheck.
“Get real and talk to the people who are struggling,” Stroud said.
Last month, a bill was filed in the state Senate to raise the minimum wage in Florida from $8.05 to $15 an hour.
The state Legislature has voted down similar proposals in the last two legislative sessions, but some taxpayers said they’re hoping lawmakers will pass it this time around.
"The way the economy is today, people have got to be able to survive," Nassau County resident Gary Nelson said.
Florida’s minimum wage is higher than the federal rate of $7.25 an hour.
WJAX
