UP Gazette

State Representative Dave Prestin played a crucial role in the passage of House Bill 4002, which aims to shield small businesses and tipped workers from new mandates. The bill was passed in a bipartisan vote on Thursday and is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. It addresses concerns about sick time rules and ensures workers have access to necessary leave.

“This solution is far from perfect, but it’s the best deal we could get from Senate Democrats and the Governor,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “Without this deal, the mandates imposed by the Supreme Court ruling would’ve obliterated U.P. businesses and restaurants. Anything that’s bad for the Lower Peninsula – and these mandates would’ve been a lot worse than bad – is apocalyptic for us. Thanks to the hard work of many House and Senate Republicans, and a few brave Democrats who bucked their party, businesses and restaurants across Michigan are going to live to fight another day.”

The bill allows employers to select sick time plans suitable for their operations while simplifying complex regulations that were initially proposed. Additionally, it protects businesses from unwarranted lawsuits and activist actions.

Senate Bill 8, which was passed by the House on Wednesday, preserves the tip credit at 38% through 2025 with planned annual wage increases. This will ultimately cap at 50% of the minimum wage by 2031.