House Republicans in the Northern Michigan Caucus released a statement this week outlining their support for legislation introduced in response to a Michigan Supreme Court decision from last summer. The ruling, the lawmakers say, puts unrealistic mandates on small businesses regarding wages and sick leave while phasing out the tip credit. Tips provide a key source of income for workers and in many cases it’s more than someone would make with an increased minimum wage — notably in the service industry, the lawmakers say. Without legislative intervention, the changes will go into effect Feb. 21. The statement follows.

“From Clare to Houghton, we all have small, locally owned restaurants that are staples of our communities. These are restaurants we brought our kids to after sporting events and marked special occasions with loved ones. Now, these same places are forced to choose between hiking their prices, laying off staff, or shutting down altogether. If we do not act, these local operations may never be able to employ high school kids or sponsor local t-ball teams again — they won’t be able to afford it.

“In Northern Michigan and the U.P., almost every business is a small business. Their operations keep our economies alive. Business owners should be focused on the incredible goods and services they provide to our communities, not on complicated and confusing court rulings that might land them fighting a lawsuit. We want our farmers focused on cows, crops, and cherries and our lumbermen focused on timber; they shouldn’t have to bury their noses in legal documents to figure out whether their sick time policies comply with new regulations.

“We want everyone to know the Northern Caucus is standing together on this one. There isn’t a more significant issue facing our state today than saving our restaurants and small businesses. These operations, and the people who run them, are what give our communities character and life. We refuse to let that go away. The deadline is just over a month away — it’s time to get to work.”

— The Northern Caucus includes state Reps. Mike Hoadley, R-Au Gres; Tom Kunse, R-Clare; Joseph Fox, R-Fremont; Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington; John Roth, R-Interlochen; Ken Borton, R-Gaylord; Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan; Parker Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs; Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River; Karl Bohnak, R-Deerton; and Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock.