On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, Court of Claims Judge Douglas Shapiro ruled that the NFIB-supported changes made to citizen-initiated legislation regarding Paid Sick Leave and the Minimum Wage during the 2018 Lame Duck legislative session were not allowed under the Michigan Constitution. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by those groups that had circulated the petitions, disputing the ability of the legislature to adopt legislation by petition and then amend it in the same session. To read more details about what happened in 2018, go HERE.
On Friday, July 29, Judge Shapiro issued a stay on his ruling until February 19, 2023. If no stay had been issued, the laws as passed – without the small business friendly changes – would have gone into effect on August 9, 2022. As of now, the status quo remains, and there is no need to make any changes in regard to paid sick leave or minimum wage.
A request for a stay that extends until all court proceedings are completed will be included in the appeal of the judge’s ruling. NFIB is involved in discussions with the legislature, AG’s office, and other business groups on how to reverse this overreach of judicial authority and keep the changes made to the law in 2018.
