Yesterday, the Republican controlled Michigan House & Senate approved a minimum wage and paid sick leave bill, over the objection of many Democrats in the state’s Legislature. In order to keep things straight, let us take a closer look at both bills.
Michigan One Fair Wage
This bill will raise the hourly minimum wage rate in the state from $9.25, up to $12 by 2022. Perhaps one of the more talked about portions of this bill is the fact that tipped workers will also see a pay raise, going from a current hourly rate of $3.52 up to the minimum wage rate by 2024. Members of the Legislature approved the bill with a 78 - 28 vote.
MI Time to Care
As for the paid sick leave legislation, the proposal would allow employees to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Depending on the size of the employer, employees could have the option to earn up to 9 days of paid sick leave per year. This bill was also approved with a 78 - 28 vote.
Now for the question that many readers likely have: Both bills seem to benefit employees so why would many Democrats and labor groups oppose this legislation? Quite simply, it is because they want voters, rather than the Michigan Legislature, to vote on minimum wage and paid sick leave. While some Democrats supported the proposals, many more voiced their objections and demanded that voters have the final say, rather than the Legislature.
With that being said, yesterday’s passage takes this matter out of the hands of voters and puts control solely with the Legislature. Given that Republicans have majority control of the state’s House & Senate, both bills do not require the signature of the Governor and will instead go into effect automatically next March. However, in this particular case, Republicans can amend either or both bills with a simple majority vote by the House & Senate (which they currently have) prior to the legislation becoming law. This means that it is possible that either bill approved yesterday could look drastically different before they take effect in March. While no specific amendments have been announced as of yet, it is worth noting that yesterday, House Speaker Tom Leonard, Republican from DeWitt, stated that he thought both bills were poorly written and needed revisions. Read into that what you want, but if I were a betting man, I think it is more than likely we will see amendments made in the coming months.
Had voters had a say this November (and the Legislature not approved any bills beforehand), any changes to the legislation by the Michigan Legislature would have required a three fourths majority vote. A simple majority vote is one thing; a three fourths majority vote is a whole other animal. Perhaps even more concerning for Democrats and labor groups is the fact that should Republicans lose majority control of either the House or Senate in November, Republicans could still amend either bill during a lame duck legislative session.
For the time being, minimum wage and paid sick leave advocates have reason to be cautiously optimistic given yesterday’s vote. That is, unless Republicans decide to do something before March...
For additional information: https://www.google.com/amp/s/articles.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/minimum_wage_hike_paid_sick_le.amp
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