State Rep. Mike Mueller joined colleagues for a press conference on Friday, where Republican members announced they will not vote on any more bills until House Democrats prioritize policies to save Michigan’s tipped-wage industry.

Without legislative intervention, the hospitality industry faces mass layoffs and business closures early in 2025. But instead of focusing on this pressing issue, Democrats continue to prioritize leftist policies like letting criminals out of jail, giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, and raising fees across the state.

“Tipped wage workers have been pleading for legislative intervention in this pressing situation putting their livelihoods at stake,” said Mueller (R-Linden). “But Democrats continue to ignore their pleas. My colleagues and I are doing all we can to get them to come to the table and find a solution that we can all agree on. If they won’t act on this issue, then we won’t vote on any of theirs.

“It’s no wonder that Michigan voters overwhelmingly selected Republicans to represent them in the state House in the coming term. We know what working families and job providers are up against and we stand with them every step of the way.”

A recent survey by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association illustrates the dire consequences of letting the radical changes in the 2018 proposals stand:

• 66% of restaurant owners say they would be forced to lay off employees.
• 20% would be forced to shut their doors.
• 42% would be forced to cut operating hours.
• More than 92% of restaurants would be forced to hike prices, with many anticipating increases of 20% to 25% by early 2025.

Another survey found that 82% of Michigan restaurant servers wanted to keep the tipping system in place, and 79% worried about losing their job if the tip credit were eliminated.

###