State Rep. Rylee Linting’s first votes on legislation in the Michigan House were to protect workers, small businesses and local economies from looming and potentially devastating state Supreme Court mandates. 

Linting voted on Thursday to advance House Bills 4001-02, which strike a needed balance between fostering economic growth and protecting workers. The Court’s ruling from last summer, which will go into effect Feb. 21, put unrealistic demands on small businesses regarding wages and sick leave, and phased out the tip credit, which provides a key source of income for workers, often more than an employee would make with minimum wage.

“Without our action, local and family-owned businesses across Michigan would be forced to close for good. We can’t let that become a reality,” said Linting, of Grosse Ile. “People all across Downriver, from small business owners to restaurant workers, have made it clear how important this legislation is. These votes show I am standing with them – not special interests or out-of-state activists.” 

HBs 4001-02 leave the current 38% tip credit while moving toward a higher minimum wage year over year. The plans also tweak an impractical, court-ordered, one-size-fits-all earned sick leave approach that applies to businesses that employ even one person. In its place, the bills define an employer as an entity with 50 or more workers and don’t subject businesses with less than that to the requirements. 

The legislation pertaining to sick leave lets employees carry over more than 72 hours of unused sick time to an ensuing year if an employer permits, giving added flexibility for workers.  

HBs 4001-02 now move to the Senate for consideration.