This month, the minimum wage in Michigan was increased from $9.87 to $10.10 per hour.
The minimum wage could increase again in early February, depending on how the appellate court rules in ongoing legal battles based on a 2018 proposal. If raised, the move could bring many changes to Michigan.
According to Bridge Michigan, the 2018 proposal was supposed to raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour in 2022. Before voters could determine whether or not to move forward with the new law, Republican lawmakers struck down the effort since they held majorities in both the House and the Senate. This sparked the court proceedings in hopes of implementing further changes with the potential to increase the minimum wage to $13.03 per hour if the court affirms in favor of the increase.
Attorneys have asked the Court of Appeals to decide by Feb. 1, but the court is not required to do so.
Erkmen Giray Aslim, an assistant professor of economics in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, said despite opposition to raising the minimum wage, the raise will benefit many people.
“There is always the argument that high wage floors, raising minimum wages, destroys jobs,” Aslim said. “Raising the minimum wage may reduce poverty and inequality in Michigan, while reducing reliance on public assistance.”
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