http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4610561The state Senate unanimously approved legislation Thursday that would boost the state's minimum wage to $6.95 in October, a $1.80 increase. The minimum would rise to $7.40 an hour by July 2008.
So why the flip-flop on the part of Senate Repubs? It's all about the ballot initiative, and the fact that they're vulnerable in the upcoming election cycle.
"It's a factor in the decision making - there's no question about it," Sikkema said of the petition drive.
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The bill now goes to the GOP-controlled House, which could vote on it early next week. A spokesman said Republican House Speaker Craig DeRoche of Novi doesn't support raising the minimum wage but favors the legislation over the petition drive. The House likely will vote for the bill as a way to pre-empt the ballot measure, Matt Resch said.
So is the ballot issue dead? NO. Michigan DUers must keep collecting signatures to put this in the state Constitution, in order to tie future rate hikes to inflation. Besiides, the bill has yet to pass the House. Who knows what kind of shenanigans they will try?
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