KEY
LEGISLATION:
Minimum Wage
Issue Ramping Up in Michigan
After months of speculation about efforts to raise the minimum wage
in
Michigan, the campaign has become fully engaged. The Association of
Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) is actively recruiting
labor
groups and their allies to gather signatures to put the issue on the
November ballot. ACORN was successful in winning an increase in the
minimum
wage in Florida last year and has similar efforts underway in numerous
other states.
For many years, MRA and other business groups have been able to defeat
legislation aimed at raising the minimum wage above its current level
of
$5.15. The new efforts by organized labor would circumvent the Michigan
Legislature by gathering enough signatures to put the issue directly
before
the state’s voters. If passed, the wage would move from $5.15 an
hour to
$6.15 the first year, then increase to $7.15 the next year. In addition,
the
proposal would index the wage to the rate of inflation.
Informal estimates and polling indicate that if the issue is placed
on the
ballot, the electorate will overwhelmingly support it. MRA and its allies
are now in the process of determining the best course of action to take
on
the issue. Clearly, the retail and the restaurant industries would be
hit
the hardest by an increase in the minimum wage.
Republicans Announce
2006 Agenda
While not much was accomplished this week by legislators who returned
for
only one day of work, Republican leaders took the opportunity to unveil
their early ’06 agenda. Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema and
Speaker of
the House Craig DeRoche announced agenda items focused on stimulating
the
economy and protecting taxpayers.
The first four items are:
1. Reducing taxes for small businesses by cutting in half the alternative
rate they pay on the Single Business Tax.
2. Placing state revenue left over from 2005 into the state’s Budget
Stabilization Fund.
3. Prohibiting a state ergonomic standard for businesses.
4. Providing businesses with assistance in dealing with the state treasury
bureaucracy—the so-called Job Provider Bill of Rights package.
The leaders said they would like to see work on these issues completed
by
the end of January. Their timetable no doubt reflects the fact that
Gov.
Jennifer Granholm’s State of the State Address will be delivered
on January 25.
Ergonomics Bill
to Receive Committee Hearing
A bill that seeks to prohibit state government from issuing a
Michigan-specific ergonomics rule is scheduled for testimony before
the
House Commerce Committee on Tuesday, January 17, at 10:30 a.m. House
Bill
5447, sponsored by Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) is deemed necessary
because MIOSHA is openly considering drafting and issuing such a rule.
MRA will attend the committee hearing and support the bill aggressively.
KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:
No new key bill introductions to report
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Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin
should be directed to:
Kathleen Wilson, Administrative Assistant to the Governmental Affairs
Office at
kawilson@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.5656
Toll-Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
www.retailers.com
www.mallofmichigan.com
