State Rep. Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes) today voted in support of Republican plans that address the needs of local job providers and their hardworking employees amid uncertainty surrounding Michigan’s tipped wage laws and sick leave policies.

Without legislative intervention, the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision to phase out the tip credit and enact other unrealistic mandates for sick leave and wages would take effect Feb. 21 and could force local job providers to lay off staff, cut employee hours or close entirely.

Republican House Bills 4001 and 4002 help strike a needed balance between fostering economic growth, protecting livelihoods and preventing mass closures.

“I have heard from restaurant workers and the small businesses that employ them throughout my communities,” Outman said. “Whether these workers lean more Republican or more Democrat, it’s undeniably clear that they want these fixes, and I’m pleased to vote today to help deliver them. It’s time for Democrats in Lansing to set aside their personal feelings about this issue and listen to the workers and job providers who have cried out for help.”

The bills preserve tipped wages, move toward a higher minimum wage and maintain the status quo for earned sick leave while ensuring small businesses with low staff numbers are not harshly impacted by no-notice sick leave that would routinely leave them understaffed and overwhelmed.

House Democrats did not take up legislation on these issues to close out the 2023-24 term, despite bipartisan support for reform and continued pleas from servers, bartenders and the state’s small business sector regarding what the ruling would do to their livelihoods.

The bills received overwhelming, bipartisan support and now advance to the state Senate for further consideration.

###