LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan Legislature passed paid sick time reforms in a vote late Thursday night.

It comes not a moment too soon as new minimum wage laws and sick leave policies were set to kick in for the state’s tipped wage workers and small businesses on Friday.

MORE NEWS: Court Rules in Favor of Enbridge Pipeline, Deals Setback to AG Dana Nessel

State Senator Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) blasted fellow Democrats on social media following the vote on Thursday. “It should have never taken this long, but out of touch Lansing Democrats ignored restaurant workers and owners for months,” she said. “While no compromise is perfect, we were successful in eliminating some of the most egregious of the mandates tonight.”

Democrats had the entire fall and their lame duck majority session between Nov. 5, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025 to move on these bills. However, Republicans said former House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) reneged on a previous promise to take up the bills amid in-party fighting.

The legislation now heads to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk.