State Rep. Sarah Lightner on Friday criticized legislative Democrats for prioritizing letting criminals out of jail, giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and raising fees across the state, instead of focusing on key policies to save the Michigan tipped-wage industry. Without legislative intervention, the hospitality industry faces mass layoffs and business closures early in 2025.

“Our tipped wage workers and small businesses are hanging on by a thread and Democrats’ only response is to shove through their most radical policy goals,” said Lightner, R-Springport. “Republicans are standing with everyday people and making it clear we’ve had enough. Small businesses are going to close, and people are going to lose their jobs if lawmakers don’t set aside their partisan pet projects and focus on the greater good. House Republicans are ready to do the work; the question is how long will it take before Democrats get on board?”

“Democrats continue to be an absolute failure as they close out their time in power,” Lightner said. “They’ve had attendance issues all term. Even when their members did show up, they usually just cancelled session anyways. Now, when the stakes are highest, Democrats are going to ignore the needs of the people and jam through bad bills. Democrats have proven they are incapable of governing when the state needs its leaders the most. Republicans are unified and ready to answer that call so we can deliver relief to people who need it most.”

A recent survey by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association illustrates the dire consequences of letting the radical changes in the 2018 proposals stand:

• 66% of restaurant owners say they would be forced to lay off employees.
• 20% would be forced to shut their doors.
• 42% would be forced to cut operating hours.
• More than 92% of restaurants would be forced to hike prices, with many anticipating increases of 20% to 25% by early 2025.

Another survey found that 82% of Michigan restaurant servers wanted to keep the tipping system in place, and 79% worried about losing their job if the tip credit were eliminated.

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