Advocacy News – Jan. 30, 2025
With limited session days remaining before Feb. 21, the day the sweeping new minimum wage and earned sick time (ESTA) changes are slated to take effect, the Michigan Senate has yet to take any action — although conversations are still happening behind the scenes.
Why it matters: It’s been a week since a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House came together in support commonsense changes to the onerous ESTA and minimum wage law. The fate of these issues now rests in the Senate’s hands. Without action and changes to the laws as written, the decisions ahead for organizations are difficult, which is why it’s critical lawmakers step in to soften the impact.
While some members of the Senate has voiced a willingness to be helpful, actions speak louder than words — especially because the clock is ticking. Complicating matters, not all members of the Senate agree. Just yesterday, Senators Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) and Stephanie Change (D-Detroit) joined Mothering Justice, the advocacy group behind the earned sick time law, denouncing the amendments and at a press conference at the Capitol and urging the Democratic-led Senate to reject any changes.
- In general, it seems there is some openness to a fix in the Senate but opposition to exemptions for small businesses and certain classifications of employees (part-time, seasonal, etc.) remains.
Options available to the Senate: The Senate can consider the bills as written or revise (amend) them. They can also consider their own versions of the bills, such as Senate Bills 15 (ESTA) and 8 (minimum wage). Regardless, swift action is needed to avoid a situation where organizations have to make two disruptive changes to their employee benefits in 2025.
- It remains possible, but not guaranteed, that lawmakers could push the effective date of these laws out beyond Feb. 21. Michigan employers should continue to prepare for these laws to take effect as written on Feb. 21 but continue to monitor whether statutory changes are agreed upon and enacted.
Final push needed (make your voice heard!): It remains critical that business leaders continue to urge Senators to move with urgency. Call or email your State Senator today to ask for their support.
Go deeper:
- Read the coalition leave-behind that the MI Chamber coordinated.
- View a full run-down of activities and compliance resources.
- See our grid that compares the House and Senate bills.
- Read the statement we issued to the press after the House vote.
Contact Wendy Block with questions or to get involved.