LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source)—Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills Friday that resolved a long-running battle in the Legislature over minimum wage, sick time and paid time off for employees.

The bills increase the minimum wage, reaching $15 an hour by January 1, 2027. After 2027, the minimum wage will increase each year according to inflation.

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“This commonsense compromise was made possible by the Republicans and Democrats who worked together to forge a fair, bipartisan deal. I hope we can build on this momentum to keep passing commonsense, bipartisan legislation that makes a real difference in people’s lives,” Whitmer said in a press release.

According to Sen. Kevin Hertel, (D-St. Clair Shores) the bills increases flexibility for workers by allowing employees to use paid leave to bring your child to a doctor’s appointment, stay home to protect your coworkers from illness, and more. Additionally, the bill states employers cannot require employees find their own replacement when using earned sick time.

The bill allows small business owners more freedom to provide their workers earned sick time.

The Michigan Legislature passed paid sick time and minimum wage reforms in votes 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.

Sen. Michele Hoitenga, (R-Manton), blasted fellow Democrats on social media following the vote on Thursday.

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“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.”