Minimum Wage Petition

Official Policy
January 2006

A statewide petition is being circulated to put a raise in the minimum wage on the November 2006 ballot.  The proposal would raise Michigan’s minimum wage from $5.15/hr. to $6.85/hr. on January 1, 2007 and increase the minimum wage every year as the cost of living goes up.  If passed, the proposal also puts the minimum wage in the Michigan Constitution where state and local politicians can't reduce it or eliminate it.

Chamber members should know that the Chamber does not support this proposal.  Businesses in Michigan face a number of economic constraints and we do not support making a mandatory minimum wage increase with a guaranteed annual increase part of Michigan’s Constitution.  Many of the businesses in Washtenaw County pay entry level employees well above $5.15 an hour—we support continuing to let the market determine wages in Michigan.