LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – After the Democratic majority refused to take up bills to fix Michigan’s impending tip credit crisis in the waning days of their lame duck majority, Republicans stepped into the House on Wednesday and promised to fix it.

What’s at stake?

The 103rd Michigan legislature was gaveled to order on Wednesday, and two Republicans put forth bills to fix looming changes to the state’s tipped wages and sick time. Reps. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) and John Roth (R-Interlochen) said their bills are intended to prevent a “catastrophe.”

MORE NEWS: Michigan Lawmakers’ Response to the Laken Riley Act

“We’ve heard from countless hardworking small business owners and their dedicated employees about what this ruling would mean for them,” Rep. DeBoyer said, referring to last summer’s Michigan Supreme Court decision that put new minimum wage laws into place. “Many small businesses would close, their employees would be out of work, and the places that remain open would have to significantly raise their prices on people who go out and support businesses in their community, which will lead to an even bigger fight to stay open.”

The industry weighs in.

Both lawmakers discussed the “urgency to deliver” since the new wage scales are set to go into effect next month. In addition, they said the court’s decision burdens small businesses regarding wages and sick leave while phasing out the tip credit. They said restaurant owners and servers told them the hardships of that change will likely lead to raised menu prices, layoffs, and closures.

“The livable wage in Grand Traverse County is around $30 an hour,” Rep. Roth said. He broke down how the new wages could impact tipped workers if the legislature does not intervene. “The average tipped worker in Northern Michigan earns about $29 an hour with tips. If we force these staff to work at $15 an hour, life in our communities will become impossible to afford. They’ll have to sell their homes, take their kids out of school, and uproot their entire lives. But we still have time to fix this,” he said.

Rep. Roth added, “[Governor Gretchen Whitmer] and Senate Majority Leader need to get on board so we can save these folks livelihoods before it’s too late.”