These subminimum wage workers would have to be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. They would also have to voluntarily “opt out” of being paid the state’s higher minimum wage by signing a waiver form. Florida Rep. Judson Sapp, a Republican from Green Cove Springs and CEO of a railroad contractor, said Florida’s minimum wage, as it is, is killing the American Dream for business owners like himself. Rep. Judson Sapp, a multimillionaire per financial disclosures, said Florida’s minimum wage is killing the American Dream for business owners like himself. “So if the intent is to educate and train, why not require at least state minimum wage while they’re training?