State Senator Margaret O'Brien says her vote against legislation to ban local governments from enacting ordinances to regulate employee wages and benefits was "philosophical."
The Portage Republican says he understands concerns from business groups about a "patchwork of regulations." But O'Brien says it's up to local government to determine the terms of its contracts. Asked about possible consolidation of local governments, O'Brien says the state can offer incentives so that local units of government have options. She says the state can help local governments with the short-term costs if they are interested in merging.
Margaret O'Brien was interviewed by WMUK's Gordon Evans and Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Emily Monacelli. A summary of other topics:
Methamphetamine
O'Brien recently introduced legislation that would make it a crime to solicit someone to purchase pseudoephedrine for purposes of making "meth". Legislation was passed last term to make "smurphing," or purchasing pseudoephedrine for someone who is planning to use it to make meth illegal. O'Brien says her bill will help attack the problem on all fronts while still providing access for people who need pseudoephedrine and use it legally. While meth remains a problem statewide and in Kalamazoo County, O'Brien says "we may be reaching the end of what we can do legislatively."
Minimum Wage
O'Brien has proposed some changes to minimum wage for training and for young workers. It would increase the training wage and allows employer to pay 85% of the federal or state minimum wage (whichever is higher) to workers under 20. Currently the youth age is set at 18. O'Brien says the change would apply to a small number of employers, and she says it would help young people get their first job, especially those who did not work while in high school.
Adoption
Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation that allows faith-based adoption agencies to opt out of working with same-sex couples. O'Brien says the debate was very emotional, but she says the testimony on the bill did not include anyone who was not able to adopt a child. She says the bill keeps the current state operating policy, but adds a requirement that faith-based agencies refer couples to another agency that will work with them.
Same Sex Marriage
Critics of the adoption bill question the timing coming shortly before the Supreme Court issues it's ruling on same-sex marriage bans in Michigan and other states. O'Brien says the various issues should lead to re-examination of the legal options for family decisions. She says blood relation wins out in legal settings, but she says close friends are sometimes better suited to make health care and other decisions.
Roads
In the web version of the interview, O'Brien also discusses searching for a compromise on road funding. The House has approved a road funding package, but O'Brien is concerned about eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit for working poor people. She also says the House plan may be too reliant on continued economic growth.
