Every Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives walked out of session on Friday, protesting the Democrats’ refusal to address concerns over upcoming changes to the state’s tipped minimum wage system. The changes will gradually raise the tipped wage from $3.93 per hour to match the state’s standard minimum wage, which will near $15 per hour by 2030. Republicans warn this will harm small businesses and workers in the hospitality industry.
Speaker of the House-elect Matt Hall emphasized the urgency, stating, “We’re done with it. So my message and this caucus’s message to Speaker Tate is: Put up legislation right now to keep up the earned sick leave policies alive and to protect our restaurant workers, and we aren’t going to come back on the floor today until that happens.”
Concerns from tipped workers and business owners center on the potential for reduced tips, layoffs, or even closures due to the increased labor costs. “House Democrats had a clear opportunity to prevent devastating consequences for Michigan’s small businesses and hardworking employees, yet they chose to do nothing,” said GOP Rep. Angela Rigas. “We will not stand by while political games take precedence over the livelihoods of Michiganders.”
Democrats dismissed the Republican walkout as a political stunt. Speaker of the House Joe Tate criticized the GOP, stating, “Democrats are here. Democrats are going to continue working and continue putting people first, and it’s really disappointing that Republicans have decided to just walk out and have a temper tantrum.”
The Michigan Democratic Party echoed the sentiment, with spokesperson Tommy Kubitschek calling the walkout “an insult to the taxpayers that pay them.” Kubitschek added, “This is a disturbing sign from the MIGOP about how they will lead, or fail to, when they have the House majority.”
Despite the Republican absence, Democratic lawmakers continued passing bills along party lines, maintaining their ability to legislate while holding the majority until the session ends next Thursday.
