State Rep. Brian BeGole, of Antrim Township, today issued the following statement after House Democrats refused to work with the House Republican caucus on pressing issues that matter to Michigan workers and families, like restoring the tipped wage for restaurant workers, fixing the earned sick time law for small businesses, and passing a real road-funding plan.

Due to this inaction from House Democrats, BeGole and House Republicans refused to vote on legislation until these items could be addressed. House Democrats then unnecessarily continued to vote on legislation without Republicans even though they had a majority of votes regardless and items they put up for vote would still see passage at any time.

The clock keeps ticking on a Michigan Supreme Court decision set to be effective in February that eventually eliminates the tip credit for servers, bartenders, and other workers who frequently make more with tips than they would through a higher minimum wage. BeGole and other House Republican caucus members have consistently raised the alarm on what the decision would mean for local job providers and their employes if the July decision comes into effect:

“Dozens of bills have been prioritized and taken up at all hours of the day on the House floor this week, but we have seen today that a decimated restaurant industry in Michigan and many small businesses potentially having to close for good are not a priority for Democrats in majority. Bad local roads that aren’t getting fixed don’t seem to be a priority either.

“Democrats showed they would rather vote by themselves on radical ideas like driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, letting murderers out of jail early and allowing inappropriate material into libraries than work in a bipartisan way with us to deliver real solutions for real issues.

“The Supreme Court’s decision on wages, sick leave and the tip credit is an issue that will impact everyone in our state. Thousands of livelihoods will be put at risk and consumers will see higher prices every time they go out to eat or shop.

“House Republicans have been hearing for months from people we represent about issues that matter to them and their communities. But Democrats have consistently ignored these calls. We should be using the few days we have left during this term to get solutions to those issues across the finish line instead of ramming through a partisan agenda.”