Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2025
Media Contact:
MRLA Statement in Response to House Bill 4002 & Senate Bill 8 Being Signed Into Law
LANSING, MI — The following statement can be attributed to Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association:
"With Governor Whitmer’s signature today, thousands of community restaurants and tens of thousands of servers and bartenders can exhale, knowing their voice was heard. They can now begin the work of planning for their collective future with the knowledge that a tip credit has once again been preserved.
We're especially grateful to all those who took the time to truly understand what was at stake - the servers who showed up in Lansing to share their stories, the legislators who visited countless restaurants to learn firsthand how the tip credit works and the many small business owners who opened their books to show the real numbers.
It is now time for Saru Jayaraman and the astroturf One Fair Wage group to pack up shop and head back to California. Michigan’s restaurant workers did not ask for their help and they do not want it, now or ever. Like Massachusetts, Michiganders are over One Fair Wage’s disingenuous proclamations and know deep down that our restaurants have been through enough the last five years. Michigan restaurant operators simply need to be left alone to pursue peace and prosperity and we will be there every step of the way to help them secure it."
"With Governor Whitmer’s signature today, thousands of community restaurants and tens of thousands of servers and bartenders can exhale, knowing their voice was heard. They can now begin the work of planning for their collective future with the knowledge that a tip credit has once again been preserved.
We're especially grateful to all those who took the time to truly understand what was at stake - the servers who showed up in Lansing to share their stories, the legislators who visited countless restaurants to learn firsthand how the tip credit works and the many small business owners who opened their books to show the real numbers.
It is now time for Saru Jayaraman and the astroturf One Fair Wage group to pack up shop and head back to California. Michigan’s restaurant workers did not ask for their help and they do not want it, now or ever. Like Massachusetts, Michiganders are over One Fair Wage’s disingenuous proclamations and know deep down that our restaurants have been through enough the last five years. Michigan restaurant operators simply need to be left alone to pursue peace and prosperity and we will be there every step of the way to help them secure it."
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.
###
