LANSING, MI – State Representative Angela Rigas today praised the passage of bipartisan legislation that protects Michigan’s restaurant workers, small businesses, and hardworking families from the economic chaos caused by the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling on tipped wages and sick leave.

“This bipartisan compromise isn’t perfect, but it’s a major victory for Michigan’s workforce, business owners, and economy,” said Rep. Rigas. “House Republicans led the charge to protect the wages of tipped workers and fix Michigan’s broken sick leave policies. We listened to workers and business owners—not out-of-state special interests—and delivered real solutions.”

The legislative package ensures that restaurant workers can continue earning the strong wages they rely on through tips, while also providing clarity and flexibility for paid sick leave policies. Without this compromise, the Supreme Court’s decision would have eliminated the tipped wage system, leading to higher menu prices, job losses, and restaurant closures across the state.

“Michigan servers and bartenders overwhelmingly wanted to keep their tips, and we made sure they won’t see a pay cut due to misguided policies,” Rigas continued. “By maintaining the tipped wage system, we’re ensuring workers can continue earning far above the minimum wage while keeping restaurants open and thriving.”

The new legislation also fixes Michigan’s sick leave policies, replacing confusing and burdensome mandates with a system that balances worker protections and business flexibility. Under the revised policies, workers can take necessary time off while small businesses are spared from excessive regulatory red tape.

“Our reforms make sure workers can stay home when they’re sick, but without forcing small businesses into a one-size-fits-all system that simply doesn’t work,” Rigas said. “House Republicans and Speaker Hall fought for a fair and balanced approach—one that protects jobs and paychecks without suffocating small businesses with unnecessarymandates.”

Despite this hard-fought bipartisan compromise, out-of-state activists are already threatening to undo the progress made with a referendum campaign.

“This isn’t over,” warned Rigas. “Left-wing groups want to undo this win, cut workers’ wages, and close down local businesses just to push their radical agenda. But I trust that Michigan’s workers and business owners will stand firm in protecting their livelihoods.”

Representative Rigas remains committed to fighting for Michigan’s working families, ensuring policies that support economic growth, protect wages, and safeguard small businesses from harmful government overreach. For more information, please contact Rep. Angela Rigas at (517) 373-1403 or via email at [email protected].