GOP Plan to Hike Minimum Wage
Another proposal has been floated at the State Capitol to raise the minimum wage in Michigan. And the sponsor is a Republican.
MLive.com is reporting that State Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) is proposing a plan he says already has bi-partisan support. It would increase the minimum wage from the current $7.40 an hour to $8.15 beginning in December. Hikes for those who receive "tips" would be limited to just 10-cents an hour.
Jones, appearing this morning on the Steve Gruber Show with Jo Anne Paul on 1240 WJIM-AM, said the idea is to give more to working Americans without breaking the banks of companies that are so crucial to the state's economic recovery. His idea, he says, strikes a balance unlike a proposed ballot initiative on the issue.
Those with the "Raising Michigan Coalition", though, dispute those claims. They say there is no evidence that an increase to what they would like--$10.10 an hour--would simply provide a living wage.
Jones, says, his idea is a good compromise that he's hoping all will look at seriously. He says the idea of a ballot question is more government interference in an area that is already delicate.
Join Jo Anne Paul and Steve Gruber weekdays from 5:30 to 9 AM on 1240 WJIM-AM and the Stations of the Michigan Talk Network. Join the discussion by calling our hotline at (888) 900-9966!