State Representative Joey Andrews is expecting the Michigan Legislature to make some adjustments to the new minimum wage law set to take effect in February following a state Supreme Court ruling last month.
The court ruled that the state Legislature overstepped its bounds when it approved a scaled back minimum wage hike previously approved by voters in 2018. One thing the ruling would do is give tipped workers the same minimum wage as everyone else, something restaurants have said will drive many out of business. Andrews told St. Joseph City Commissioners Monday lawmakers are talking about that.
“So we’re working on convening with some of the restaurant owners in the district over the next couple of weeks, some of the hotel owners, that sort of thing, as well as some of the hospitality workers to try to understand what the ramifications are and how we might be able to adjust it,” Andrews said.
Andrews said the minimum wage going up is a good thing, but there is some language in the law that may need cleaning up. He pointed to paid sick time that could result in “no call, no show” situations. Lawmakers will tweak the legislation.
“Something that brings some stability to the hospitality industry, maybe helps make more of a career and a lifestyle out of working in that industry, but also allows our businesses to flourish.”
Andrews said heading into the fall, the Legislature will talk with industry groups to better understand their concerns. He said there’s “a lot of nuance” that needs to be sorted out.
