Rep. Fairbairn, select committee slated for hearings this week

State Rep. Parker Fairbairn on Monday joined his House Republican colleagues in announcing the Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses will hold its first hearing Tuesday, January 14. Fairbairn, who was named to the committee last week, has heard from a multitude of servers and small business owners throughout the Northern Lower Peninsula and Eastern Upper Peninsula about the importance of this issue.

“As we gear up for the committee process to begin this week, it’s essential we remember that this work cannot occur solely within an echo chamber in Lansing,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “My wife and I have spent months visiting restaurants and small businesses throughout our community. When we’re sitting in committee this week, I’m committed to speaking for the server in Charlevoix whose tips will pay for rent this month and the small business owner in St. Ignace who fears laying off trusted employees because of burdensome new requirements.”

The creation of the select committee was the first legislative action taken by the new House Republican majority last week, underscoring the importance Fairbairn and his colleagues place on passing legislation that will restore the tip credit and protect small businesses from additional burdensome and confusing government regulations.

“Speaker Hall said saving our tipped workers and small businesses would be a top priority this term and he continues to live up to that pledge,” Fairbairn said. “I’m grateful to be entrusted with the responsibility helping to carry out House Republicans’ first major focus in the 103rd Legislature. There simply is no more immediate concern facing our small businesspeople and tipped-wage workers than the issues coming before this committee. Everyone has a favorite local restaurant or business that will be threatened if we do not act.”

Legislative action is needed to address the issue after a Michigan Supreme Court decision from last summer negated a previous Republic fix to these unrealistic mandates on small businesses regarding wages and sick leave while phasing out the tip credit, which provides a key source of income for workers. Without legislative intervention, the changes will go into effect Feb. 21.

The committee is set to meet at 10:30 a.m. in room 519 of the Anderson House Office Building.

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