As of December 19, 2024, the Michigan Legislature so far has failed to address small businesses’ number one priority during this Lame Duck session: making the critical changes needed to the Earned Sick Time Act and Minimum Wage (specifically restoration of the tipped wage), essential to the growth of Michigan’s small businesses.

“By failing to act, Michigan’s small business owners are once again left with more expensive business and regulatory costs at the hands of the current legislative majorities,” said Amanda Fisher, NFIB Michigan State Director. “Instead of addressing common sense solutions, lawmakers quickly passed legislation increasing the unemployment insurance benefits and saddled small businesses with doubling the 100% employer-funded mandate. We are disappointed that the Democratic Leadership in the House and Senate failed to address these important issues to both small businesses and their employees but 1are hopeful that pro-small business legislation will be prioritized when lawmakers come back to Lansing at the start of the 2025 session.”

ICYMI: State Director Amanda Fisher Testified on Behalf of Michigan’s Small Businesses

Fisher testified before the Michigan Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services to voice concerns and opposition to the Family Leave Optimal Coverage Act, which would allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid family leave in a benefit year.

She also testified before the Michigan Senate Labor Committee to oppose legislation that increases unemployment insurance benefits. The Detroit News covered the hearing and quoted Fisher: “A huge concern is that this benefit increase goes too far too fast and could put us in danger again if there is an economic downturn.”

WHAT TO KNOW: Paid Sick Leave & Minimum Wage

Lawmakers failed to come to a bipartisan agreement to make critical changes for small businesses to the Earned Sick Time Act and Minimum Wage (restoration of the tipped wage). No legislation moved, and small businesses are left going into the new year with a regulatory nightmare.

This issue is not over – NFIB will continue to advocate for changes and the new House Republican majority has already indicated this will be a top priority in January.

It’s not too late to tell your legislators to make critical changes!

WHAT TO KNOW: Increased Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The Michigan House and Senate both passed legislation that increases the duration of unemployment insurance benefits from 20 to 26 weeks and increases the weekly benefit from $362 to $614 over three years and indexing to inflation thereafter.

TAKE ACTION: Want to help decide what policy positions NFIB will take next year? Submit your member ballot TODAY and be the Voice of Small Business in Michigan.

To vote, visit www.NFIB.com/VoteMyBallot, login with your email and password, select “My Ballots and Surveys,” and complete your state ballot today.