Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2024
Media Contacts:
MRLA President & CEO Justin Winslow Provides a Statement as Legislative Leadership Fails to Address Tip Credit Crisis Before Year End
“Amongst Michigan's 20,000 restaurants and nearly 500,000 workers, today will be remembered as a tragically avoidable failure of leadership by the Democratic leaders of the House and the Senate. In a hyper-polarized environment, where virtually every piece of legislation has moved with the narrowest of majorities, the legislature failed to do the one thing that the public overwhelmingly wanted, that tens of thousands of impacted workers cried out for and that thousands of small businesses needed – to responsibly raise the minimum wage while restoring Michigan’s tip credit before its absence decimated an industry for the second time in five years.
The concept and the legislation are bipartisan. The responsibility for the restaurants that will inevitably close permanently in 2025 and the many jobs that go with it lies squarely with Speaker Joe Tate and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. They have abandoned Michigan’s hospitality industry.”
- Justin Winslow, MRLA President & CEO
The concept and the legislation are bipartisan. The responsibility for the restaurants that will inevitably close permanently in 2025 and the many jobs that go with it lies squarely with Speaker Joe Tate and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. They have abandoned Michigan’s hospitality industry.”
- Justin Winslow, MRLA President & CEO
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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