LANSING – After a year of pressuring the Republican-controlled House, House Democrats today successfully raised Michigan's minimum wage to $7.40 an hour.
"Now, Michigan is finally rewarding hard work and giving our young families a boost," said State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak). "The pressure the public put on them paid off. The Republicans were forced to recognize the truth in what Democrats have been saying all along: Raising the minimum wage is a move that is long overdue."
The House today passed a plan to raise Michigan's minimum wage to $7.40 an hour by July 2008, up from the current $5.15 an hour, which is the federal rate passed in 1997 and has been unchanged since. The House vote followed unanimous Senate approval last week.
"A day's work deserves fair pay," State Representative Paul Condino (D-Southfield) said. "If we value hard work, then Michigan's minimum wage must reflect that."
Since House Democrats announced a plan to raise the minimum wage last year, Republicans have repeatedly vowed to block any increase, including dismissing Governor Jennifer Granholm's call in her State of the State address January 25 to increase the minimum wage. Republicans also voted twice against Democratic plans to raise the minimum wage.[1]
"This is a victory for all Michigan residents," said State Representative Aldo Vagnozzi (D-Farmington/Farmington Hills). "By raising the minimum wage, more money will in turn go to our local economy."
A higher wage would help more than 400,000 people in Michigan – many of them the sole breadwinners of their families – and boost local economies. The value of the dollar is at its lowest since 1949. Michigan is now poised to become the 17th state, plus the District of Columbia, to have a minimum wage higher than the federal rate.
"The women and men who work minimum-wage jobs are some of our hardest workers," said State Representative Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale). "They deserve a wage that will help them to better support their families."