LANSING — Today, the House of Representatives voted on the One Fair Wage and MI Time to Care citizen ballot initiatives, which would increase the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave for all, respectively. The proposals passed. In response, state Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton) issued the following statement:
“Michigan workers should not have to worry about the security of their paychecks and benefits, which is why the policies we voted on today are so critical. My Democratic colleagues and I have been advocating for earned paid sick leave and paycheck security for years, and I am grateful that the people of Michigan spurred our Republican colleagues into action with these ballot initiatives.
“I’ve previously introduced legislation to ensure sick time for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as legislation to ensure our young people are paid fair wages and I’m pleased to see similar priorities reflected in these initiatives. It is vital that we now move forward and implement these policies without gutting them later based on electoral outcomes. Michigan’s working people deserve better than that and anyone who attempts to usurp the will of the people by removing the provisions guaranteed in these citizen-led initiatives will be held accountable.”
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