ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (Feb. 10, 2025) — As new policies around Michigan’s tipped wage and paid sick leave are set to go into effect later this month, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) brought together local workers and small business owners for a roundtable discussion at Baffin Brewing Company in St. Clair Shores. The main goal for the discussion was to hear about the impact the new policies are set to have on their livelihoods and discuss potential solutions, including a legislative package led by Sen. Hertel.
“With small businesses, the workers they employ, and the consumers they serve facing uncertainty, people don’t need political games, they need the Legislature to act,” said Sen. Hertel. “We’ve got legislation introduced in the Senate to serve as a starting point for negotiations. I’m at the table, ready and willing to work with anyone serious about finding a solution to this problem. The stories I’ve heard from workers and business owners throughout our community make one thing clear: we have people depending on us to reach a fair compromise. Let’s get this done.”
Since the issue arose after the Michigan Supreme Court found actions taken in 2018 by the Republican-led Legislature unconstitutional, Sen. Hertel has been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders from across his district and the state in order to find a reasonable compromise that balances the interests of all those who stand to be impacted. As a result of these open conversations, Sen. Hertel joined Sens. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) in introducing an ambitious yet pragmatic legislative package to move the Legislature closer to delivering a solution.
Composed of Senate Bills 6–8 and 15, the package seeks to accelerate the increase of Michigan’s minimum wage; protect and improve the tipped credit; require employers to provide paid sick leave; and strengthen laws preventing the theft of wages.
“Tips are essential for us in the service industry,” said Sean Robertson, a bartender from Baffin Brewing Company. “Even on a slow night, I can walk away with far more than I would making a flat rate. By protecting the tipped credit, this proposal would mean more take-home pay for me and my coworkers, lower costs for bars and restaurants, and better prices for our customers. I appreciate the work Senator Hertel is doing to solve this issue, and I hope our other representatives in Lansing are willing to come together to get a solution over the finish line.”
“As a small business owner, I realize the only reason I’m able to keep my doors open is our workers and our customers,” said Ryan Balicki, owner of Copper Hop Brewing Company in St. Clair Shores. “That’s why I offer a starting hourly rate well above the minimum wage, plus health care, retirement benefits, and paid time off, all while keeping prices reasonable for everyday folks. The Senate bills give us a great compromise, helping balance the needs of small business owners like myself, while also delivering an income boost to workers. With so much uncertainty facing our industry, we need our representatives in Lansing to put egos aside and work together to get something done. Our livelihoods depend on it.”
Additional details about the legislation introduced by Sen. Hertel can be found here.
Sen. Kevin Hertel meets with owners and bartenders from local breweries to hear from them on the impact of the changes coming to tipped wage and paid sick leave policies and discuss solutions to benefit all those involved. Photo Credit: Megan Dombrowski, Michigan Senate Democrats