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Court of Claims asked to wait on enacting paid leave, minimum wage decisions

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The Michigan Court of Claims is being asked to delay enforcing decisions to boost the state’s minimum wage and require employers to provide earned sick leave. That’s after the judge ruled the Legislature violated the State Constitution.

The decisions called foul on the Legislature’s response to two 2018 petition initiatives. The GOP-led House and Senate adopted the initiatives but then amended them into new, watered-down versions.

Without a stay, the decisions would take effect next month, and attorney Mark Brewer says that’s what should happen. “The Legislature acted unconstitutionally. There’s no reason for them to wait any longer for justice,” he says.

But Brian Calley with the Small Business Association of Michigan says that would be a lot for employers to manage. “This is a dramatic overnight change,” he says.

Calley says a hold on the decision should remain while the cases are litigated.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network.