Michigan Lawmakers Push Last-Minute Changes to Minimum Wage Law  

Michigan’s minimum wage law is at the center of a heated debate as lawmakers push changes ahead of its scheduled rollout. A bill that speeds up wage increases for non-tipped workers while capping wages for those who rely on tips passed the state Legislature on Wednesday, setting the stage for a potential showdown before the law takes effect on Friday.  Under the existing law, both tipped and non-tipped workers would see gradual increases until they are earning the same wage by 2030. But this bill accelerates pay raises for non-tipped workers, ensuring they reach $15 an hour by 2027, while locking in a lower base wage for tipped employees at half the rate of other workers. Supporters call it a necessary measure to protect businesses, while opponents argue it undermines the will of the people.  “It’s not perfect, but it is an action, an immediate action that’s going to help preserve our tip credit and the tip wage system. And I think that’s vital in here to the restaurant industry,” said Representative Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) after the House vote on Wednesday. The bill now heads to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but in order for it to take effect immediately, the...