Michigan Supreme Court Blocks $15 Minimum Wage Proposal from 2024 Ballot

The state’s Supreme Court has ruled against certifying a ballot initiative that sought to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. This proposal, championed by Raise the Wage MI, also aimed to align the lower minimum wage for tipped workers with the regular wage. However, in a unanimous 7-0 order, the justices declared that the initiative failed to meet the stringent legal standards required for ballot inclusion. Justice Brian Zahra, in a concurring statement, articulated the court’s reasoning, emphasizing that the ballot committee did not demonstrate a clear legal right to warrant mandamus relief. The deadlock of the four-member Board of State Canvassers in October further complicated matters, as they were split on how to handle the petition’s problematic wording despite the Michigan Bureau of Elections’ recommendation to approve the signatures gathered. The rejection of this ballot proposal marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over wage policies in Michigan. Yet, this battle is far from over. A separate legal case concerning the controversial tactics employed by Republicans in 2018 to undermine minimum wage and paid sick leave laws remains unresolved. The high court is expected to deliver a ruling on the constitutionality of these maneuvers by the...