State Rep. Bradley Slagh on Thursday continued House Republicans’ efforts to stand up for tipped workers and small businesses by supporting and speaking with restaurant workers and small business owners throughout his community.

He is spending the week before Christmas buying gift cards from local restaurants and passing them out to constituents throughout the district along with a message that reads: “Helping to brighten your holiday season and that of our restaurants and tipped employees. Please continue to support our dining establishments and those who make them run in the weeks and months ahead.”

House Republicans last week pledged to withhold votes until legislative Democrats consider bills that would protect tipped wage workers and small businesses. Without legislative intervention, the hospitality industry and many small businesses will face mass layoffs and business closures early in 2025.

“Legislative Democrats may be standing in the way of our efforts to save tipped workers and small businesses, but they can’t stop us from offering support and goodwill in our own unique ways,” said Slagh, R-Zeeland. “The Christmas season is already stressful enough for our restaurant workers as they try to navigate normal bills with holiday expenses. I cannot imagine the stress of being forced to choose between paying for Christmas gifts to put under the tree and setting aside money in case of layoffs in the new year.”

A recent survey by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association found that if no action is taken 66% of restaurant owners say they would be forced to lay off employees, 20% would be forced to shut their doors, and more than 92% of restaurants would be forced to hike prices, with many anticipating increases of 20% to 25% by early 2025.

“The Christmas season is supposed to be about joy, yet our tipped wage workers have been left with giant pits in their stomachs given their dire circumstances,” Slagh said. “Chatting with restaurant workers and offering support is my way of showing people are still looking out for them this holiday season. Things may look dark now, but Christmas is also a season of faith – and if the Bible teaches us anything, it’s that faith and hope is something you can’t ever give up on.”

Slagh’s efforts went together with other House Republican events throughout Michigan Thursday. Press conferences offering support to tipped wage workers and small businesses were held in Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Midland.

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