UP Gazette

State Representative Dave Prestin has praised a bipartisan coalition of House lawmakers, including Republicans and a Detroit Democrat, for their resistance to what he describes as the "radical agenda" of the House Democrat leadership. The agenda failed to pass due to attendance issues within the Democratic caucus.

Last week, House Republicans decided to withhold their votes until legislation addressing protections for tipped workers and small businesses was considered. The Democrats rejected these requests and attempted to proceed without bipartisan support but could not achieve unity within their ranks.

Prestin criticized the Democrats for focusing on policies such as securing driver's licenses and state ID cards for illegal immigrants, adding a 'homeless bill of rights,' eliminating election security safeguards, removing Michigan’s presidential electoral votes in favor of a National Popular Vote, imposing septic tank regulations and fees on homeowners, expanding EGLE's regulatory power, increasing hunting and fishing license fees, releasing violent prisoners serving life sentences, and infringing on constitutional rights. He credited the bipartisan group of legislators for blocking these initiatives.

The outgoing House leadership called a "call of the House" on Thursday in an attempt to ensure legislator attendance as Democrats continued pushing their agenda. This effort failed because they did not have enough members present to begin voting.

Prestin acknowledged that this session's abrupt end resulted in legislative setbacks across the state. Legislation to reinstate the tip credit and amend the Earned Sick Time Act to protect hospitality industry workers was not addressed. Additionally, local emergency medical service providers must wait for compensation after a former healthcare contractor failed to pay over $6 million owed for services rendered in 2023 and 2024.

“If the Earned Sick Time Act goes into effect without being amended, employers will have no recourse for employees that no-call, no-show,” Prestin said. He emphasized that this issue is particularly significant in public safety sectors like hospitals, police, fire departments, EMS services, and public works.

Prestin stated that finding solutions to these issues is his top priority for the new year. Officials from Kinross EMS warned they might close by year's end if they do not receive approximately $450,000 owed to them.

“Lansing Democrats don’t realize the devastating effects a single EMS agency closing in the U.P. would have,” Prestin said. He highlighted concerns about increased response times and potential unavailability of units in rural areas facing medical emergencies.