State Rep. Graham Filler is leading a bipartisan effort to protect Michigan’s local businesses from the severe impact of recent changes to the state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave laws.

Filler, R-Duplain Township, has introduced House Bills 6056 and 6057 to provide relief to businesses facing challenges due to a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling that is set to raise the minimum wage and implement new paid sick leave mandates starting in February 2025.

“This is the number one issue facing Michigan right now,” Filler said. “If we don’t act fast, these changes could devastate small businesses and the restaurant industry, leading to closures and job losses across the state. I’ve been working hard to find a common-sense solution that gives businesses room to adapt while still increasing wages for workers.”

The court’s July decision mandates substantial increases to the state’s minimum wage, raising it from $10.33 to $12.48 per hour starting February 21, 2025, with subsequent annual increases that will tie to inflation. The lower tipped wage will also gradually rise until it matches the regular minimum wage by 2029, threatening the financial stability of Michigan’s restaurant industry and other service sectors.

House Bill 6056, introduced by Filler and Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) aims to moderate these steep increases by adjusting the minimum wage scale to reach $15 by 2029 instead of the more aggressive timeline set by the court. The bill also preserves the tipped wage structure, ensuring tipped workers can still earn 38% of the standard minimum wage, provided their combined wages and tips meet the full minimum.

House Bill 6057 focuses on making critical adjustments to the paid sick leave mandates. The current law, as altered by the Supreme Court’s decision, would place a heavy burden on small businesses by increasing costs and administrative complexity. Filler is working closely with business leaders and lawmakers to finalize the bill’s details to ensure it effectively addresses these concerns while still protecting the spirit of the changes.

Filler emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues during the current lame-duck session. If the Legislature doesn’t take action, businesses will face substantial increases in labor costs that could lead to reduced hours, layoffs, and closures, particularly in the restaurant industry, which heavily relies on the tipped wage system.

“These changes need to be fair, balanced, and thought through,” said Filler. “I’m confident we can come together in a bipartisan way to find a solution that protects both our businesses and the hardworking Michiganders they employ.”

House Bills 6056 and 6057 have been referred to the Regulatory Reform Committee for consideration.

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