State Rep. William Bruck joined colleagues for a Friday press conference, at which Republican members announced they would not vote on any more bills until House Democrats prioritize policies to save the jobs of tipped restaurant servers and bartenders and fix a convoluted and burdensome sick leave law.

Despite Republicans’ calls for action at the early afternoon press conference, House Democrats refused to put tipped wage or sick leave legislation up for a vote during a long Friday session, instead passing far-left priorities with only Democrat votes.

“Bold leadership takes bold action,” said Bruck, R-Erie. “I signed up to work for Michiganders, and that’s why I’ll do whatever it takes to save the tips of our restaurant workers and fix the confusing sick time law that will hurt worker and small businesses. Democrat leadership won’t let us get the job done, but House Republicans will lead. We voted with our feet, and we’ll vote with our feet again if Democrats let us vote to protect the jobs of servers and bartenders. Let’s lead Michigan in the right direction for the people. It’s what we were elected to do.”

Without legislative intervention, the hospitality industry faces mass layoffs and business closures early in 2025. Also in early 2025, all businesses will have to comply with new, vague earned sick time mandates that could strip workers of more generous paid time off policies. But instead of focusing on these pressing issues, Democrats continue to prioritize leftist policies like letting criminals out of jail, giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and raising fees across the state.

A recent survey by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association illustrates the dire consequences of letting the radical changes imposed by the Michigan Supreme Court stand:

• 66% of restaurant owners say they would be forced to lay off employees.
• 20% would be forced to shut their doors.
• 42% would be forced to cut operating hours.
• More than 92% of restaurants would be forced to hike prices, with many anticipating increases of 20% to 25% by early 2025.

Another survey found that 82% of Michigan restaurant servers wanted to keep the tipping system in place, and 79% worried about losing their job with the tip credit eliminated.

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