The state House has adopted a controversial bill that would preempt local “living wage” laws and other workplace rules and ordinances.
Three Republicans crossed over to join Democrats in opposing the bill as it squeaked through on a 57-52 vote. Republicans say the Legislature needs to block what could become a patchwork of minimum wage and workplace rules if local governments aren’t reined in.
“Employment ordinances could sprout like dandelions in the spring,”
said state Representative Earl Poleski (R-Jackson).
“The setting of wages, fringe benefits, leave policies, and other rules, need to be consistent from town to town and county to county, and this bill protects that fundamental business necessity.”
But Democrats say the legislation violates the principal of local control.
“This bill says we don’t trust the locals to do what their constituents want,”
says state Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing), who argued it would only feed public cynicism following the thumping of Proposal 1, which was placed in the ballot by the Legislature.
“A local unit of government knows what works to keep their local economy thriving,”
says state Representative Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). The legislation was amended so it would not specifically outlaw local civil rights ordinances, such as ones that protect LGBT people from employment and housing discrimination. But what’s not known still is how many other local rules it might affect, says Chris Hackbarth of the Michigan Municipal League.
“We have no way of knowing because the language in the bill is so broad,” he says. “It covers ordinances, policies, and resolutions.”
The bill now goes to the state Senate.
