HOUGHTON — On Tuesday afternoon, the Raise the Wage Michigan Ballot Committee hosted a virtual press conference to announce the official filing of ballot measure language to increase Michigan’s minimum wage to $15 per hour for all workers.
The new proposal, which was filed with the Michigan Bureau of Elections, would raise the state minimum wage – currently $9.65 per hour – by $1 each year.
Under this proposal, the hourly wage would climb to $11 in 2023, and reach $15 in 2027. After reaching the $15 target, the wage would be automatically adjusted for inflation each year.
“One of the problems we’ve had with a minimum wage is the lack of an inflationary adjustment,” said attorney Mark Brewer, who represents the Raise the Wage Michigan Ballot Committee. “This proposal bakes that in, so that we no longer need drives like this or legislative action. It [the wage] will automatically increase by the rate of inflation every calendar year.”
The proposed language would also abolish the sub-minimum wage for workers who receive tips or gratuities. Currently, Michigan businesses are only required to pay tipped workers a minimum wage of $3.67 per hour.
Instead, the proposal would close the wage gap between tipped and non-tipped workers over the course of six years, so that both groups receive the same $15 hourly wage by 2028.
“They can still continue to receive tips and gratuities on top of that wage, but they will be guaranteed that minimum wage thereafter including the inflationary...
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