• The bill would allow local officials to set their own wage and benefits policies
• Democrats, unions support the bill for allowing locals to require higher wages to attract more workers
• Republicans, trade groups fear local mismanagement, confusion for businesses

LANSING — Cities and townships in Michigan could require private businesses to set higher minimum wages, offer paid sick leaves or provide fringe benefits under a bill championed by Michigan Democrats.

House Bill 4237, sponsored by Rep. Joey Andrews, D-St. Joseph, would repeal a 2015 Republican-backed law that prevented local governments from regulating private businesses’ wage and benefits.

Democrats, union groups and some local officials applauded the legislation during a jam-packed House Labor Committee hearing Thursday. They argued the 2015 law — dubbed the “Death Star Bill” by the liberal group Progress Michigan — crippled local communities’ ability to protect worker benefits and raise wages to attract talent.

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“Restoring local control will give power back to working people and the local leaders they elected to represent them,” Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, said in a Thursday statement.

Republicans and business groups arguing the legislation would make it...

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