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Updated: Michigan Legislature Moves Quickly to Amend Minimum Wage & Paid Sick Leave Legislation


Back in September, the Michigan Legislature approved a minimum wage and paid sick leave bill over the objection of many Democrats.   Passage of the minimum wage bill would result in the hourly pay rate in the state rising from $9.25/hour up to $12/hour by 2022.  For tipped workers, their hourly wage rate would go from $3.52/hour up to the minimum wage rate of $12/hour by 2024.  As for paid sick leave, the Legislature approved a bill that would allow employees in the state to earn one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked, depending on the size of their employer.

Democrats were quick to call foul, mainly because they wanted voters in the state to approve the measures.  Since the Michigan Legislature approved the legislation prior to a November vote, the Legislature retained sole authority to amend either piece of legislation by a majority vote before the minimum wage hike and paid sick leave went into effect next March.

Well it turns out that the Legislature did just that last week.  Last Wednesday, Senate Republicans voted to slow the minimum wage hike, raising the hourly wage rate to $12/hour by 2030 rather than 2022.  As well, Senate Republicans voted to cap the tipped worker wage rate at $4/hour, rather than eventually rising to $12/hour.  As for paid sick leave, it has been scaled back to exempt employers with fewer than 50 employees and limits the minimum number of paid sick leave hours employers would have to provide all the way down to 36 hours per year.

The Senate Majority Leader, Arlan Meekhof, stated these amendments were done following calls by business owners and citizens to “make sure Michigan continues on its economic progress.”  However, Democrats derided the Majority Leader’s reasoning and labeled the move a bait and switch tactic and not in the spirit of what voters in Michigan want.  While these amendments now head to the House for further review and a vote, it appears that Republicans in the Legislature are well on their way to amending both pieces of legislation in short order.


For additional information:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/11/28/gop-michigan-minimum-wage-leave/2136112002/

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