{"id":1611,"date":"2025-01-08T08:44:18","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T13:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/singh\/?p=1611"},"modified":"2025-01-09T09:31:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T14:31:17","slug":"making-workers-a-priority-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/singh\/2025\/01\/08\/making-workers-a-priority-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Hertel, Singh, Camilleri Tackle Urgent Tipped Wage Fix and Wage Theft on Day One, Making Workers a Priority in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
Balancing the interests of workers, small businesses, and consumers, this legislative package seeks to build a fair economy that works for all<\/i><\/div>\n
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L<\/i>ANSING, Mich. (Jan. 8, 2025) \u2014 On day one of a new legislative session, Senate Democrats are not shying away from tackling the pressing issues impacting Michiganders. To kick off the 103rd Legislature, Sens. Kevin Hertel <\/b>(D-St. Clair Shores), Sam Singh <\/b>(D-East Lansing), and Darrin Camilleri <\/b>(D-Trenton) introduced an ambitious yet pragmatic legislative package to build a fair economy that works for all \u2014 workers, small businesses, and consumers. Composed of Senate Bills 6<\/a><\/u><\/span>–8<\/a><\/u><\/span> and 15<\/a><\/u><\/span>, the package seeks to accelerate the increase of Michigan\u2019s minimum wage; protect and improve the tipped credit; require employers to provide paid sick leave; and strengthen laws preventing the theft of wages.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter meeting with countless workers and small business owners across our state, it\u2019s clear that we must address the mess left by Republican legislators following their failed attempted to circumvent the will of Michigan voters,\u201d said Sen. Hertel<\/b>. <\/b>\u201cUnlike the political games that got us here, this package is the result of open, honest conversations with those who are most impacted by the legislation. Thanks to their input I\u2019m hopeful the legislature can find a reasonable compromise that sets us on a path to create a fairer, more robust economy that works for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/b>The first half of the package was introduced to address the impending damage created by Michigan Republicans in 2018 when they undermined a citizen-driven ballot initiative aimed at improving the state\u2019s minimum wage and paid leave policies. These unconstitutional and unethical actions would have put businesses in an impossible situation and left workers with smaller paychecks and less benefits \u2014 a direct contradiction of what voters had intended.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should have to choose between their health and keeping their job or paying their bills,\u201d said Sen. Singh<\/b>. \u201cPaid sick time would ensure workers have the ability to care for themselves when they need to \u2014 it\u2019s a policy that’s not just good for workers, but smart for businesses too.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the crafting of these bills, Sens. Hertel, Singh, <\/b>and Camilleri <\/b>engaged a broad coalition of stakeholders, including workers, small business owners, and policy advocates, to listen to their concerns and find a balance that ensures that workers have strong rights, employers are able to run their businesses, and that the spirit of the ballot initiative process is upheld.<\/p>\n

Spearheaded by Sens. Hertel <\/b>and Singh<\/b>, Senate Bills 8 and 15 would:<\/p>\n

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