GREG MARKKANEN

LANSING — State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, was critical Wednesday of a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that will raise the minimum wage.

Markkanen said the ruling eliminates the tip credit for servers, bartenders, and other workers who he claims frequently make more with tips than they would with a higher minimum wage. The changes begin to take effect Feb. 21.

“These out-of-touch justices just crippled every single small business on our side of the Michigan-Wisconsin border,” said Markkanen. “What do we expect to happen when these changes take effect? People are going to get laid off. Family-owned businesses are going to close. They’re all going to pack their bags and escape to other states, where they don’t have to deal with these radical new rules. The Legislature must act before the Michigan Supreme Court becomes the single greatest contributor to population growth in Wisconsin.”

The vast majority of employees who work in customer service make the majority of their money on tips, Markkanen said.

“They’re rewarded based on the quality of their service. Democrats are worried Donald Trump is going to repeal the income tax on tips. So, to protect their precious tax revenue, they’re forcing wait staff to get their wages directly from the employer and avoid any future tax cut.”