State Rep. Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes) issued the following statement after he joined his House Republican Colleagues in taking a stand against Democrats in leadership who have neglected to address the threats to the livelihoods of tipped wage workers. Republicans have vowed not to vote on any more issues until a solution for the restaurant and hospitality industries is found:

“Restaurant workers are facing mass layoffs and detrimental impacts on their livelihoods early next year, but instead of focusing on finding solutions for them, Democrats in majority continue to prioritize their radical leftist policies as the sun sets on their term at the helm.

“It’s time for legislative intervention, and time is running out. Democrats will paint this strategy as a lazy unwillingness to come to work – but the truth is, it’s they that won’t come to the bargaining table with us to find a solution before the entire hospitality industry crashes and burns.”

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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.