Lawmakers, organizations react to sick time, tipped wage passage

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan lawmakers reforms in a late-night vote Thursday, pushing on a midnight deadline. The final vote in the Senate came in just after 10:40 p.m., with the House sending it to the governor's desk soon after.
passed with amendments, blocking 2018 ballot measures that would have required businesses with 10 or more employees to provide up to 72 hours of paid sick leave a year, and smaller businesses to provide 40 hours. It was tie-barred with , which preserves the tipped wage for restaurant workers and bartenders, also passed. It raises the standard minimum wage to $15 by 2027, and tipped wages up to half of the standard.
Lawmakers and other interest groups are speaking out after the vote, with some calling it an imperfect solution—and some saying the measures are preferable to those that would have gone into effect otherwise.
Here's what they are saying:
'Michiganders should be able to care for themselves and their loved ones when they are sick without fear of jeopardizing their wages or losing their jobs. This legislation was thoughtfully crafted from extensive discussions held with workers and businesses alike and significantly improves earned sick leave access and Michigan's national standing in providing it.
State Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing)
'Emergencies and illnesses are a part of life, and our core mission with this legislation is to help Michiganders sleep at night knowing that there is a reasonable amount of cushion for them when the unpredictable happens. This bill is informed by the people of Michigan and negotiated in good faith across bipartisan lines, and in years to come, other states will be modeling their own laws on what we passed today.'
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids)
'This is not the plan we drew up, but it's the best move we can make to ensure our small business owners and tipped workers are protected. The other side didn't want to compromise on anything, and they were willing to let countless Michiganders who are struggling to stay afloat lose their jobs. House Republicans were not going to stand around and let that happen. Owning a small business is hard enough without government red tape. As a small business owner myself, I understand how narrow the margins are, and the kinds of sacrifices owners make just to stay afloat. The negotiated plan is a necessary stopgap for what we were facing. Given the alternative, I hope businesses can breathe a bit easier on Friday morning.'
State Rep. Ron Robinson (R-Utica)
'This isn't a fairy-tale deal where everyone got exactly what they wanted, but this is a workable solution and far better than what was going to take place if the Legislature chose to do nothing. Our hospitality industry and countless small businesses would have faced devastating consequences had the Legislature not acted. Business owners and workers from across the state made clear what these extreme new mandates would have meant for them: In the best-case scenario, many servers would have taken a pay cut and businesses would have had to lay people off. The worst-case scenario was countless businesses closing their doors for good. I am happy we were able to negotiate a deal — though waiting until the last second is far from an effective or preferred way to legislate. My Republican colleagues and I pushed for Democratic leadership to take this issue seriously for months, to no avail, but were ultimately able to lead negotiations and force a deal to be put on the table. In the end, we were able to get it done and send a bipartisan agreement to the governor's desk, where I hope to see it signed into law this evening to avoid the looming economic disaster.'
State Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Mt. Pleasant)
'While the legislation we've passed today is not the perfect solution, it is a better outcome than allowing the Michigan Supreme Court's extreme sick leave policy to go into effect. In the coming year, there are many issues facing small businesses that need to be addressed. I will continue my fight to limit regulation, stop reckless government spending, and prevent higher taxes.'
State Sen. Michele Hoitenga (R-36)
'Disaster averted. After months of Democrat inaction, Republicans led the way in passing these critical reforms to preserve the tipped wage, help keep family restaurants across Michigan open, and save the jobs and livelihoods of tens of thousands of hospitality workers. These measures will also put in place a flexible leave time solution that benefits Michigan workers without imposing a one-size-fits-all big-government burden on struggling small businesses. Doing nothing was never a responsible option. While no compromise is perfect, this plan puts Michigan workers and small businesses first — instead of out-of-state special interest groups.
State Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe)
'Last week, I voted to preserve Michigan's tipped credit, and tonight, we completed the final piece of the puzzle by approving a bipartisan solution on changes to the earned sick leave proposal. Over the last several months, thousands of restaurant workers and small business owners have voiced their dismay with the overbearing new mandates set to take effect on February 21st and called on their elected officials to come up with a solution. Senate Republicans led negotiations on both reforms and were able to force changes that acknowledged the concerns of people in every one of our districts and ultimately prevent the economic disaster these radical new laws would have caused. What we ended up with was a bipartisan compromise that weighed concerns from both employees and employers while fighting to keep jobs in Michigan and helping small businesses keep their doors open. The nature of a compromise means not everyone got everything they wanted, but everyone did get a chance to make their voices heard and no one left the negotiating table empty-handed. This solution isn't perfect, but it does protect our businesses from out-of-state interests, offers flexibility to adapt to policy changes, and maintains employee benefits without driving mom-and-pop shops out of business.'
State Sen. Michael Webber (R-9)
'We had months and months and months to do this, yet here we are at the eleventh hour rushing to get this done. Issues of this magnitude deserve significant consideration, and Democratic leadership kicking the can down the road not only pushed this issue to the last minute, but it also sent a message to the people who asked their lawmakers to do something that their concerns weren't a top priority. I was happy to see the tip credit get the attention it deserved late last week, but business owners, by and large, are far more concerned with what the overbearing sick leave changes would have meant for them. Because of that, I made my position clear: I would not support any proposals without a reform to the sick time law. Business owners in my district made their concerns abundantly clear and my vote was going to reflect that. While I am disappointed with the timeline of these changes, we were able to finalize a bipartisan agreement that brought everyone to the table. The deal wasn't perfect, but what I can guarantee is that the solution we reached is far better than what would have happened had the Legislature chosen not to act. I'll be patiently waiting for the governor's signature this evening. I hope she chooses to join the bipartisan deal and do her part to prevent the economic devastation these new laws would have undoubtedly caused.'
State Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs)
'This solution is far from perfect, but it's better than the alternative, which would have sent our businesses over a cliff. We had two options: let bad policies take effect and watch small businesses get carried to hell in a handbasket, or step in with a plan that gives them a fighting chance. This deal isn't ideal, but it keeps businesses afloat and protects the livelihoods of hardworking people, small business owners and their employees. Waiting until the last minute to fix this mess put a lot of people on edge. While this isn't the solution any of us would have drawn up in a perfect world, it at least gives our businesses a way forward instead of pushing them into chaos. That's especially important in my district, where bad policies that make it harder to run a business don't just hurt local employers — they send them packing just a few miles across the border into Ohio. We can't afford to keep making Michigan a less competitive place to work and do business.'
State Rep. William Bruck (R-30)
'Job providers across Michigan can breathe a little easier after the Michigan Legislature passed important fixes just under the Feb. 21 deadline to the onerous Earned Sick Time Act and minimum wage laws. The policy put in place by virtue of a judicial activist approach by the Michigan Supreme Court would have quite simply devastated Michigan's economy. However, we have long been optimistic that a bipartisan mix of votes existed in the House and Senate to make these laws more workable and implementable. While a paid leave mandate and higher minimum wage may sound good on paper, the proposals as written were fraught with ambiguities, administrative challenges and unintended consequences that would have led to businesses closing and jobs being lost. We appreciate Speaker Hall's leadership on this important issue as he ensured negotiating a compromise was kept at the forefront of policy priorities. We are pleased by the willingness of policymakers from both sides of the aisle to listen and find more feasible solutions that work for businesses and employees alike.'
Wendy Block, senior vice president of business advocacy, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
'This plan is a common-sense win for Michigan's small businesses, restaurant workers, and economy. Servers and bartenders made it clear they want to keep the tip credit, and we heard them loud and clear. This legislation ensures they can continue earning strong wages while also giving small businesses the stability they need to thrive. This should never have come down to the last minute, but I'm glad we were able to come together and get it done. We fought to make sure Michigan's workforce is protected, small businesses can keep their doors open, and families don't lose their livelihoods due to reckless policies. This bipartisan solution does just that.'
State Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-45)
'My House Republican colleagues and I made this issue our main priority to begin the term, introducing legislation to protect small businesses before we did anything else. While the bills we passed this evening ensure Michigan's small business community avoids disaster, we have a far-diminished restoration of reasonable wage and paid leave requirements because of the Senate Democrats. I've said before that the Supreme Court-mandated law changes were not supported by the voters, their elected representatives, or anyone in the small business community, so it makes no sense to me that Democrats would try to retain so much of those mandates. As frustrating as it is that they would not listen to the voice of the people, I'm glad we were at least able to get a deal done to prevent disaster thanks to Republicans' consistent efforts.'
State Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell)
'This is a common-sense solution that puts workers first while recognizing the challenges our small businesses face. Servers, bartenders, and restaurant owners told us loud and clear that they wanted to keep the tipping system intact, and we listened. At the same time, we made sure employees can take needed time off without placing an impossible burden on job providers. This is about fairness — fairness for the workers who rely on tips, fairness for the small businesses that keep our communities thriving, and fairness for every employer trying to provide good jobs while keeping their doors open. I'm glad we could come together on a responsible, bipartisan plan that works for everyone.'
State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson)
'I am going to be real frank and direct here — the earned sick leave and minimum wage legislation does not go far enough to deliver the relief that Michiganders deserve and need. The policy falls short of giving folks — many of whom live paycheck to paycheck — a fair sick time policy and solid worker protections. House Republicans refused to consider pro-worker changes supported by myself and Mothering Justice, the organization that has fought this fight for the working people of Michigan since day one.For instance, as passed, the policy takes away worker's right to sue an employer if they screw over the employee — this lacks the teeth needed to give workers necessary tools to protect themselves. I remain committed to fighting for hardworking Michiganders — the very people who keep this state strong — and will never stop being in their corner. The fight is not over.'
State Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit)
'Workers and small businesses should be allowed to have paid leave options that work for them. The Michigan Supreme Court's ruling from last summer would have imposed a rigid, one-size-fits-all mandate on job providers no matter how big or small they are, and some businesses actually would have had to offer worse leave options with what the Court decided. These reforms will provide clarity and cut red tape so family-owned businesses can focus on serving their customers and supporting their hardworking employees. House Republicans led the charge to restore the tipped wage for restaurant workers and fix the sick time law for our workers and small businesses. After months of inaction last term, it was time for the Legislature to come together and listen to those who were going to be impacted by the Court's ruling once it became effective on Feb. 21. It was time to deliver solutions so that jobs weren't lost and local businesses that have been in our communities for decades didn't have to close for good. These compromises aren't perfect, but heading off the absolute chaos that would have been caused had the Court's ruling gone into effect is a big win for workers, businesses and our economy.'
State Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland)
'Negotiations have resulted in a bicameral, bipartisan compromise that will incrementally increase wages and earned sick time for most of Michigan's workers — but this is just one small step in the bigger picture of providing workers what they deserve. Frankly, our work is not done — too many hardworking people are one flat tire, roof leak or broken arm away from facing a life-changing hardship. A central part of our vision as House Democrats is paving a path to give families and workers more breathing room and day to day stability. We heard loud and clear that people want lower costs and higher wages; they want life to be more affordable; folks need more opportunities to thrive — my Democratic colleagues and I couldn't agree more, which is why we are going to keep showing up every day to deliver results for the people.'
State Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton)
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

44 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Lawmakers respond to U.S. launching strikes on 3 Iranian nuclear facilities

Washington — Lawmakers across the political aisle offered a mixed response Saturday following President Trump's announcement that the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Immediately following Mr. Trump's announcement, Congressional Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Ted Cruz, backed Mr. Trump's actions, while a number of leading Democrats condemned his decision to launch the attack without consulting Congress. In a televised address Saturday night, the president described the strikes as a "spectacular military success" and said "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." He warned of "far greater" attacks if Iran does not "make peace." "There is not another military in the World that could have done this," Mr. Trump said in a social media post. "NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!Thank you for your attention to this matter." Here's what lawmakers are saying: Many Republican lawmakers back U.S. strikes in Iran, but not all "Good. This was the right call. The regime deserves it. Well done, President @realDonaldTrump," Sen. Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said on X. House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a social media post that "the military operations in Iran should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says." "The President gave Iran's leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement," Johnson said in the post. "President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated. That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision, and clarity." Texas Sen. Cruz, who has backed of Israeli strikes against Iranian targets, said in a statement: "As long as Iran was able to access and conduct activities at Fordow, they could still rush to build a nuclear arsenal. Tonight's actions have gone far in foreclosing that possibility, and countering the apocalyptic threat posed by an Iranian nuclear arsenal." Rep. Rick Crawford, Republican chair of the House Intelligence Committee, praised Mr. Trump in a statement and said, "I have been in touch with the White House before this action and will continue to track developments closely with them in the coming days." The strikes announced by Mr. Trump Saturday evening further escalated the conflict between Iran and Israel that started June 13. Mr. Trump, on Wednesday, was still mulling over whether the U.S. military would join Israel's ongoing attacks on Iran. Before the announcement of the strikes, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was among the few Republicans who opposed the U.S. action, arguing on social media, "This is not our fight." "Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war," she said in a post on X. "There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first." Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, reshared Mr. Trump's post on the strikes with a terse comment: "not constitutional." Massie introduced a resolution on Tuesday to prohibit U.S. involvement in the conflict. A few days earlier, He pointed out that the power to authorize use of military force rests with Congress, and said of the Israel-Iran conflict on X, "This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution." Some Democrats say U.S. strikes in Iran are unconstitutional House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats agreed with Massie that the president should have consulted Congress, and on Saturday demanded that lawmakers be "fully and immediately" briefed on the attacks in a classified setting. "President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East," Jeffries said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also called for Congress to enforce the War Powers Act. "President Trump must provide the American people and Congress clear answers on the actions taken tonight and their implications for the safety of Americans," Schumer said in a statement. "No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy. Confronting Iran's ruthless campaign of terror, nuclear ambitions, and regional aggression demands strength, resolve, and strategic clarity. The danger of wider, longer, and more devastating war has now dramatically increased." Sen. Mark Warner, vice chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, said that while there is "no question that Iran poses a serious threat to regional stability," the president's actions threaten to drag the U.S. into an open-ended conflict "without consulting Congress" and "without a clear strategy." Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who cosponsored Massie's resolution seeking to limit Mr. Trump's war powers, said in a statement early Sunday that Congress "needs to come back to DC immediately to vote" on the resolution "to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation." "Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk," Khanna said. Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts called on Congress to return to Washington to vote on Massie's legislation "to stop this madness." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Mr. Trump's decision to bomb Iran without congressional authorization "is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers." "He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations," the New York Democrat wrote. "It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment." Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been trying to limit Mr. Trump's ability to order U.S. strikes on Iran amid its ongoing war with Israel, emphasizing that only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution. The extent of the president's authority to enter foreign conflicts without the approval of the legislative branch has been questioned in recent years. The last time Congress authorized the use of military force was in 2002, against Iraq. A year earlier, days after the 9/11 terror attacks, Congress passed a bill approving the use of military force against nations, organizations or individuals the president determines "planned, authorized, committed, or aided the 9/11 terrorist attacks." Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan urged Democratic colleagues in a post, "Don't make another mistake in dragging our country into another war," and added, "You can stop the President and the war mongers in Congress by signing on to our War Powers Resolution." In contrast to other Congressional Democrats, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he fully supports the U.S. strikes on Iran. "As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS," Fetterman said in a social media post. "Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I'm grateful for and salute the finest military in the world." Sen. Bernie Sanders, who's on a tour this weekend in red Southern states, announced the news of the U.S. attacks on Iran to his supporters and was met the chants of "no more war" from the crowd. "It is so grossly unconstitutional," Sanders said. "All of you know that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right." Sneak peek: The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein Some key Democratic congressional leaders left out of Trump's Iran attack plans Netanyahu reacts to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

Yahoo

44 minutes ago

• Yahoo

How Louisiana politicians are responding to news of Iran attacks

President Donald Trump said the U.S. had achieved a "spectacular military success" in bombing three Iranian nuclear sites on June 21. "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated," Trump said in a live address, threatening further strikes if Tehran did not agree to U.S. terms. He said Tehran's nuclear program was a "horribly destructive enterprise." Trump earlier in the evening announced U.S. airstrikes on Iranian uranium enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, writing on Truth Social on June 21 that "All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow." Louisiana's politicians spoke out after the strike. In a released statement, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised the "President's decisive action" saying it "prevents the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants 'Death to America,' from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet. This is America First policy in action." 'The military operations in Iran should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says. 'The President gave Iran's leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement. 'President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated. That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision, and clarity. 'The President's decisive action prevents the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants 'Death to America,' from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet. This is America First policy in action. 'God bless our brave men and women in uniform — the most lethal fighting force on the planet — as we pray for their safe return home. May God bless America.' In a post on X, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said both Trump and former president Ronald Regan both understood peace was achieved through "only achieved through strength and resolve." Senator Bill Cassidy noted that peace should remain the goal in a post on X. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana politicians responded swiftly to news of Iran attacks

Yahoo

44 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Idaho Sens. Risch and Crapo come out against public land-sale provision

Idaho Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo made statements Friday opposing the sale of more than 3 million acres of public land as part of the federal budget reconciliation bill. The Republican senators had not previously spoken out on the controversial provision, proposed by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, that would fold the land-sale into the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' 'After reviewing the Senate Energy and Natural Resources reconciliation language, I do not support the proposed provision to sell public lands,' said Risch in a statement to the Idaho Statesman. Crapo joined Risch in opposing the provision, according to an email statement from his communications director, Melanie Lawhorn, to the Statesman on Saturday. Crapo's opposition was earlier reported by The Lewiston Tribune. The proposed 'mandatory disposal' of Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service land in Western states including Idaho hit the energy committee, chaired by Lee, on June 11. It came just weeks after a public land-sale provision was stripped from the House version of the spending bill, thanks to opposition from legislators including Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson. If passed, Lee's provision would require BLM and Forest Service officials to publish a list of tracts of land nominated or considered for sale every 60 days. It would cap the amount of land that could be sold at 0.75% of each agency's land — up to 3.2 million acres, the Statesman previously reported. In Idaho, that could include eligible swaths of land in the Boise National Forest, such as along the South or Middle forks of the Boise River, or trails and peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains, according to a map compiled by The Wilderness Society based on the draft language of Lee's provision. Lee said the legislation — which requires land sold be used for housing or 'associated community needs' — would make 'housing more affordable for hardworking American families,' according to a news release announcing the draft language. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean helped pass an emergency resolution at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting Thursday in Tampa, Florida, according to a post Thursday on X. The resolution, which McLean submitted, opposed Lee's proposal and public land sale considerations as part of the spending bill. 'Public lands must stay in public hands,' McLean said in her post. The resolution highlighted that a similar provision was blocked in the House version of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' following 'bipartisan opposition,' including from Simpson.