Tri-City Sun

State Representative Bill G. Schuette has voted in favor of a bipartisan agreement aimed at providing practical paid sick leave policies to support Michigan workers and local businesses. This decision follows the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling last summer, which mandated uniform leave policies that some businesses argued would result in less favorable options for their employees.

"Workers and small businesses should be allowed to have paid leave options that work for them," stated Schuette. He emphasized that the new reforms would offer clarity and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, allowing family-owned businesses to better serve their customers and support employees.

The agreement forms part of a broader compromise designed to prevent job losses, increased consumer prices, and potential harm to local economies across Michigan. Since the beginning of the 2025-26 legislative term, Schuette has prioritized these concerns after hearing from numerous workers and business owners about their economic challenges. As chair of the House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses, he facilitated the development of plans concerning tip credit preservation and sick leave reform.

Both initiatives were included in Senate Bill 8, which Schuette supported on Wednesday. The bill features proposals for maintaining tipped wages for restaurant workers while gradually increasing the minimum wage.

“House Republicans led the charge to restore the tipped wage for restaurant workers and fix the sick time law for our workers and small businesses,” said Schuette from Midland. He underscored the urgency for legislative action following months of inactivity during the previous term, highlighting how vital it was to avert job losses and business closures due to impending court rulings.

Furthermore, House Bill 4002 aims to protect small businesses from unfounded lawsuits related to leave policies while recognizing that larger companies operate differently due to greater resources. It also addresses issues with "no-call, no-show" leaves that could undermine staffing levels in small enterprises as well as critical services like emergency response units and schools.

“These compromises aren’t perfect," Schuette acknowledged, "but heading off the absolute chaos that would have been caused had the Court’s ruling gone into effect is a big win for workers, businesses and our economy.”