State Rep. Brian BeGole today underscored that more work needs to be done in the coming days to help protect workers and small business owners after the Michigan Senate this week joined ongoing House Republican efforts to prioritize reforms.

The Senate on Thursday passed a plan preserving Michigan’s tip credit, a critical source of income for many service industry workers that is often higher than what they would be paid through an elevated minimum wage. An agreement to preserve the tip credit was struck after BeGole and House Republicans previously voted to advance plans to the Senate that protected the tip credit, moved toward a higher minimum wage year over year and established practical sick leave parameters that respect both workers and job providers.

“House Republicans have been prioritizing this issue for months and raising the alarm about the devastating consequences the Court’s decision would have on hardworking people and our communities. We can’t allow this to happen,” said BeGole, of Antrim Township. “The Senate’s action is a positive step toward getting this done for workers and small business owners who are worried about their livelihoods if a Michigan Supreme Court ruling from last summer goes into effect on Feb. 21.

“While it’s not perfect, this compromise and stop gap was needed with the looming cliff that many in our state are facing. It’s either this, or people get put out of work through no fault of their own and our local economies take a massive hit.”

BeGole said attention must soon turn to generating movement and solutions on earned sick time policies. House Republicans have worked to establish plans that give workers flexible earned leave options, respect small and family-owned businesses that have a limited number of employees, and guard against “no-call, no-show” leave that will leave small businesses, emergency services, and other employers understaffed and overwhelmed.