Republicans retook control of the state House on Tuesday, giving Democrats just weeks to pass their wish lists and pet projects. Expect a frantic finish.
Michigan should move ahead with a planned minimum wage increase and eliminate a lower rate for tipped workers by 2030, the state Supreme Court said Wednesday. Some of those workers are not happy.
Michigan would start court-ordered minimum wage hikes at $12.48 an hour next year under an “intended approach,” the state said in a motion asking Supreme Court justices for clarity on their earlier ruling.
The top official of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association says a court ruling this week to eventually abolish the lower, tipped minimum wage will hurt an industry still suffering from the pandemic.
The president of the organization that fought for a higher minimum wage in Michigan says it has widespread support and won’t lead to massive restaurant closures threatened by business interests.
Minimum wage workers and tipped employees face an immediate pay boost in February after a court ruling on Wednesday. Businesses say the effects could be dire; unclear is whether the Legislature will step in.
A Michigan Supreme Court ruling will likely raise the minimum wage to over $12 an hour in February and higher in future years, giving a raise to tens of thousands of workers. Business leaders called it ‘catastrophic.’
Republicans canvassers blocked a citizen ballot proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour because organizers changed a definition in the petition before collecting an estimated 360,309 voter signatures.
The Michigan Supreme Court will soon decide whether to increase the minimum wage for hourly and tipped workers. Restaurants say that hurt will servers and lead to layoffs. Proponents say servers deserve better pay.
Democrats, unions and local officials say legislation would give cities autonomy to set higher minimum wage, require paid sick leave. Republicans call the plan a jobs-killer.
Minimum wage was expected to jump to $13.03 an hour, but a Thursday court ruling blocks the increase. The Michigan Supreme Court will likely settle the issue.
From raising the minimum wage to expanding tax credits and mandating work breaks, Democrats may get aggressive on labor issues. Businesses are wary, to say the least.
Nine years ago, 1 in 10 Michigan workers made minimum wage. Today, the lowest-paid workers tend to be young women, many of whom may still be in school.
The state’s hourly minimum wage rose above $10 this week, but could spike to $13 as soon as February — depending on how an appeals court rules. The stakes are high. Bridge breaks down what comes next.
Anything could happen in the Michigan Legislature before the end of the year, but it appears likely that very little will happen prior to Democrats taking the majority in January.
