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Group To Appeal Michigan Court Of Appeals Decision On Minimum Wage Proposal

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Whether another initiative can go on the November ballot could be decided by the Michigan Supreme Court.

A group called Michigan Opportunity, made up of state businesses, opposes a measure to increase the state’s minimum wage.  It says it plans to file an appeal to the state’s highest court Thursday.  In a split decision, the Court of Appeals upheld the initiative.  It said the proposal follows the constitutional requirements and that the Board of State Canvassers must certify the measure.

Michigan Opportunity spokesperson Justin Winslow said they were disappointed by the Court of Appeals, but one judge’s dissent gives them hope as they appeal to the Supreme Court.

“We had a chance to review Judge Riordan’s dissent, which we found compelling.  I think his arguments present a good case to the Michigan Supreme Court,” he said.  “So we’re hopeful they’ll take that up in short standing.”

But the group trying to raise the state’s minimum wage says they’ll keep fighting to get the measure on the November ballot.

“We think the Court of Appeals decision was correct and clear and that my clients are entitled to have their proposal on the ballot,” said One Fair Wage attorney Mark Brewer.

The proposal would increase the state’s minimum wage gradually until it hits $12-an-hour in 2022.  It would also eventually require tipped workers to receive the full state minimum wage.

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—Cheyna Roth is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network.  Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

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