Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-Rollin Township) voted Thursday in favor of Republican-led State House’s first two bills this term, which protect tip wages and restore reasonable minimum wage and paid leave requirements for small businesses. The two pieces of legislation, House Bills 4001 and 4002, will now move to the Senate after passing the House thanks in part to Jenkins-Arno’s support for the bills.

“My colleagues and I have heard from small business owners and the workers they employ all over the state who are concerned about the new laws that will abolish tip wages and institute outrageous mandates that will put them out of business,” Jenkins-Arno said. “We immediately responded, and I am proud to have helped get this badly needed legislative fix to the Senate quickly.”

The two bills must now be passed by the Democrat-led Senate and signed by Governor Whitmer to become law. If the bills are not signed by February 21^st, the harmful policies that the legislation would otherwise alter will take effect. Jenkins-Arno expressed her hope that the Republican-led efforts to resolve this issue will not be opposed.

“I’m really hopeful about the proposals introduced by the House Republican majority.  It looks to me like they have the approval of so many of Michigan’s workers and small business owners,” Jenkins-Arno said. “The Democrat majority refused to address this issue last term, and that does worry me, but I remain hopeful that they will listen to the common sense plea of the workers and business leaders we represent.”