State Rep. Graham Filler joined his Republican colleagues at a Friday press conference, where members of the House Republican caucus announced they would not support any more bills until House Democrats address critical issues threatening Michigan’s restaurant workers and small businesses. Republicans called on Democrats to take immediate action to save tipped-wage jobs and fix Michigan’s flawed sick leave law.

Despite these calls for action, House Democrats refused to bring forward legislation addressing these concerns during a lengthy Friday session, opting instead to pass partisan policies with only Democrat votes.

“Michigan’s restaurant workers and small businesses deserve more than silence from Democrat leadership,” said Filler, R-Duplain Township. “I’m here putting in the work to protect tipped servers, bartenders, and the hardworking small business owners who fuel our communities. Ignoring the devastating consequences of these reforms is negligence. We’ve put solutions on the table; now, it’s time for Lansing Democrats to stop turning their backs on Michigan families and join us in protecting jobs and businesses.”

Without immediate legislative intervention, Michigan’s hospitality industry is at risk of mass layoffs and closures in early 2025. Additionally, businesses will soon face compliance with a convoluted earned sick time law that threatens existing, more generous paid time off policies. These challenges have been underscored by industry surveys, which reveal the devastating impact these changes could have on both businesses and workers:

• 66% of restaurant owners report they would be forced to lay off employees.
• 20% say they would have to close their doors permanently.
• 42% would reduce operating hours.
• More than 92% anticipate significant price hikes, with many expecting increases of 20% to 25%.

Another survey showed that 82% of Michigan restaurant servers want to keep the tipping system in place, while 79% fear losing their jobs if the tip credit is eliminated.

Filler has taken a proactive approach to address these issues. He introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting workers and businesses while ensuring fairness. House Bill 6056 would slow the minimum wage increase to a more reasonable timeline, reaching $15 an hour by 2029, instead of the rushed schedule mandated by a recent court decision. It also preserves the tipped wage system, allowing servers and bartenders to continue earning a good living. House Bill 6057 would reform the state’s earned sick time law, making it practical for businesses to implement while safeguarding worker protections.

“We’re offering real solutions to real problems,” Filler said. “The data is clear: if we don’t act now, Michigan’s restaurants and their workers will suffer. This is about people’s jobs, their families, and the communities they support.”

While Democrats continue to focus on radical policies like reducing penalties for violent offenders, providing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and hiking fees on hardworking Michiganders, Filler said he remains committed to protecting Michigan’s workers and small businesses.

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