This week, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the legislature’s use of adopt and amend on a ballot proposal increasing the minimum wage and earned sick time laws in 2018 was unconstitutional. The disagreement over the constitutionality of the adopt and amend strategy has been ongoing and several courts have ruled on the issue. As a result of the ruling, Michigan’s minimum wage will increase when the citizens’ initiatives take effect on February 21, 2025.
Following the ruling, the four legislative leaders issued statements on the Court’s decision:
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids)
“Our legal team will be reviewing the Supreme Court’s decision over the following days. Here’s what I know to be true: the Legislature has a responsibility to uphold the will of the people. Additionally, the people of Michigan deserve clarity. The then-Republican majority made a deceitful bait-and-switch on the very people they were sworn to serve, and this lengthy battle was caused by their tactics. Regardless, today marks a new chapter where legislators and residents alike will have a clear understanding of the citizen initiative process.”
Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton)
“This misguided ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court will make everything more expensive for struggling Michigan families, while also having a devastating effect on the jobs of tipped workers. The Legislature used its ability to take necessary action to ensure the minimum wage increase and new paid sick leave rules worked for all Michiganders in 2018. This decision flies in the face of that authority and Michigan businesses and employers. The Legislature needs to act now to prevent catastrophic damage to the livelihoods of the workers at restaurants and bars throughout our state that barely survived the mandated COVID lockdowns and are still facing increased costs due to inflation. We only need two Democrat senators in the Michigan Senate who care about the lives of Michigan workers to fix this devastating change.”
Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D-Detroit)
“The Michigan Supreme Court has provided clarity regarding the process for a citizen-initiated law, and voters in Michigan now have the certainty they deserve when it comes to bringing a matter before the Legislature. We are happy to have a resolution in this matter and are in the process of reviewing the full opinion issued by the court.”
House Republican Leader Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo)
“The Legislature must return to the Capitol immediately, because this decision will completely disrupt the livelihoods of hard-working Michiganders. Restaurants and other small businesses will have to raise their prices, tipped workers will take home less pay, and some people will lose their jobs. The court has ruled, and now it’s time for the people’s representatives to take action. While Democrats are out on the campaign trail, servers and bartenders are still hard at work. But they might be on the unemployment line soon if Democrats don’t come back and help House Republicans save Michigan jobs.”
