LANSING — Michigan lawmakers still had not come to a sick time agreement as of Thursday afternoon, leaving the fate of workers and businesses up in the air.
The sick time legislation, now being considered in the Democratic-controlled Senate, is likely to receive dozens of amendments from lawmakers of both sides, and it’s unclear what the final plan may look like.
It’s likely to fall somewhere between the competing Democratic and Republican proposals, which would define a small business somewhere between 25 employees and 50 employees.
The Democratic plan counts part-time and seasonal workers as full employees, while the Republican plan would exempt both groups.
Still, lawmakers say they’re optimistic they’ll be able to get the proposal to the governor’s desk before midnight.
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall, who would have to sign off on the proposal, says that he’s been engaged in discussions with Senate Democrats throughout the day.
“We have to reach across the aisle a little further their way,” Hall, (R) 42nd District, said. “But I’ll say this — they’re also coming our way too in the conversations, and so I feel optimistic that we’ll be able to get something done tonight.”
Senate Democrats have stayed tight-lipped on where negotiations are at, but any plan will likely rely on significant Republican support.
The House and Senate are set to stay in session into Thursday evening, and have said they’ll come back Friday if necessary.
It’s unclear what would happen if the laws go into effect at midnight before the reforms are passed. Hall says that he’s hopeful the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity would withhold enforcing the new requirements, but it remains to be seen whether that would hold up in court.
Hall says that he would oppose passing an extension of the policy’s enactment, a strategy floated by Gov. Whitmer last week to potentially give lawmakers more time to negotiate.
“No, I don’t think we’ll adopt a extension,” Hall said. “I think we need to keep that pressure on the Legislature. I mean, if you give politicians even the slightest crack to not have to make a decision, they’ll take it. And so I think we need to keep that pressure on and try to get it done by midnight.”
For the proposals to go into effect immediately, they’d need to receive support from a majority of Republican senators, likely giving them increased influence over the final product.
