[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding=”8px|||||” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
LANSING, Mich. \u2014 Yesterday, the Michigan Court of Appeals offered an opinion that the Michigan Legislature\u2019s previous \u201cadopt and amend\u201d strategy to negate ballot initiatives was constitutional and was used by Republicans in 2018 to undermine a voter-driven minimum wage raise and paid sick leave requirement. In doing so, the Court of Appeals reversed the Court of Claims\u2019 prior ruling that the ploy violated Article II, Section 9 of the Michigan Constitution.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cYesterday\u2019s outcome is unacceptable,\u201d said Sen. Erika Geiss <\/b>(D-Taylor). \u201cWe know that folks in this state work hard, and they are well overdue for paid sick leave and an increase in the minimum wage. Despite this setback, we will never stop advocating for Michigan workers at every turn. This is not the end of the road.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cThis ruling by the Court of Appeals means that hundreds of thousands of hard-working Michiganders will continue to be subjected to a woefully low minimum wage and deprived of the paid sick leave they deserve,\u201d said Sen. Stephanie Chang<\/b> (D-Detroit). \u201cWe are disappointed, but we will stand with advocates in continuing to fight for the rights and protections of all workers.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n Michigan’s minimum wage was set to increase to $13.03 on February 19. However, this ruling prevents the increase from taking effect, keeping the minimum wage at its current rate of $10.10. In a concurring opinion with the majority, Judge Michael Kelly acknowledged that the “adopt and amend\u201d approach, despite yesterday\u2019s ruling, is \u201canti-democratic\u201d in nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cAs someone who cares about people, it bothers me that there are people working 40 hours a week or more who are still struggling to meet basic needs,\u201d said Sen. Sue Shink <\/b>(D-Northfield Twp.). \u201cAs a policy advocate, I\u2019m disappointed in yesterday\u2019s ruling and will continue to fight for Michigan families. And finally, as a lawyer, I know that this is another step in the process and remain hopeful for a positive outcome for working families.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \u201cMy colleagues and I hear it every day: folks across the state are struggling with high costs, feeble wages, and devastating consequences from not having paid sick leave,\u201d said Sen. Jeff Irwin <\/b>(D-Ann Arbor). \u201cThat\u2019s why voters wanted to vote on common-sense measures to address these issues, only to have the rug ripped out from under them by a Republican Legislature. The voice of the people was stolen from them, and we are determined to change that.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ###<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LANSING, Mich. \u2014 Yesterday, the Michigan Court of Appeals offered an opinion that the Michigan Legislature\u2019s previous \u201cadopt and amend\u201d strategy to negate ballot initiatives was constitutional and was used […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7039,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-statement"],"yoast_head":"\n