LANSING — Today, Governor Snyder signed into law two Republican proposals to gut citizen-initiated laws to improve economic security for working families. In September, over the objections of Democrats and activists, the Legislature voted to keep the minimum wage increase and guaranteed paid sick leave proposals off the November ballot and give themselves the ability to gut the laws during lame duck. Senate Bills 1171 and 1175, signed into law today, dramatically reduced the strong wage and sick leave benefits that Michigan voters voiced their support for through the ballot initiative process. In response to today’s bill signing, state Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) issued the following statement:
“The people of Michigan made their voices heard when they told us through those ballot initiatives they wanted strong paychecks and the freedom to take care of themselves and their families. They were forced to do so because they were tired of waiting for the Republican-led Legislature to put politics aside and address those needs, yet today they were met with the same cold indifference that has plagued this administration for eight years. This behavior is unconscionable and unconstitutional — the Legislature has no right to subvert the will of the people, deny them their vote. This is a shameful attack on our democratic principles.”
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