Lansing Sun

State Representative Graham Filler is spearheading a bipartisan initiative to shield Michigan businesses from the impending impact of changes to the state's minimum wage and paid sick leave laws. Filler, representing Duplain Township, has put forward House Bills 6056 and 6057 in response to a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that will increase the minimum wage and introduce new paid sick leave requirements starting February 2025.

"This is the number one issue facing Michigan right now," stated Filler. "If we don’t act fast, these changes could devastate small businesses and the restaurant industry, leading to closures and job losses across the state. I’ve been working hard to find a common-sense solution that gives businesses room to adapt while still increasing wages for workers."

The court's decision in July mandates significant increases in the state's minimum wage, raising it from $10.33 to $12.48 per hour beginning February 21, 2025, with further annual increases linked to inflation. The tipped wage will also gradually rise until it aligns with the regular minimum wage by 2029, posing a threat to the financial stability of Michigan's restaurant industry and other service sectors.

House Bill 6056, introduced by Filler along with Representative Nate Shannon from Sterling Heights, seeks to moderate these sharp increases by adjusting the minimum wage scale to reach $15 by 2029 instead of following the more aggressive timeline set by the court. The bill maintains the tipped wage structure, allowing tipped workers to earn 38% of the standard minimum wage as long as their combined wages and tips meet or exceed the full minimum.

House Bill 6057 addresses necessary adjustments to paid sick leave mandates. As modified by the Supreme Court's decision, current law would impose significant burdens on small businesses due to increased costs and administrative complexity. Filler is collaborating with business leaders and lawmakers to finalize details of this bill so that it effectively tackles these issues while upholding the essence of recent changes.

Filler highlighted the urgency of resolving these matters during this legislative session. Without legislative action, businesses may encounter substantial labor cost increases that could result in reduced hours, layoffs, and closures—especially within industries reliant on tipped wages like restaurants.

"These changes need to be fair, balanced, and thought through," said Filler. "I’m confident we can come together in a bipartisan way to find a solution that protects both our businesses and the hardworking Michiganders they employ."

The proposed bills have been sent to the Regulatory Reform Committee for review.