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LANSING, Mich. — It was a near empty room at Michigan’s State Capitol Wednesday.
In one of the last lame duck sessions, or one of the last chances for legislation to be passed until the new year, all House Republicans and one Democrat refused to show up.
For Republican Speaker-Elect Matt Hall (R – Richland Township), there is nothing left on the agenda that House Republicans feel look out for the greater good of Michiganders.
“We want to work on meaningful issues in lame duck like fixing our roads, saving our tips, saving our restaurant industry,” Hall said.
Meanwhile, House Democrats are in a rush to get legislation they feel matters passed as only one more lame duck session remains.
In order for bills to get passed, all 56 Democratic house members are required to be in session.
However, Rep. Karen Whitsett (D – Detroit), a stand-alone Democrat, decided to join Republicans in refusing to attend Wednesday’s lame duck session, taking away Democrats’ opportunity to get any bills passed.
“Karen Whitsett is saying ‘enough is enough’ and she’s not coming in, because the Democrats are not working on on serious policies,” Hall said.
Hall continued, criticizing current House Speaker Joe Tate (D – Detroit) for “wasting time” during sessions on bills he feels aren’t what Michiganders care about.
“I mean what is more important, where prisoners are decided on, where they are registered to vote, or saving our restaurant industry,” Hall said.
During a press conference earlier Wednesday, Hall expressed his growing frustrations with House Democrats refusing to address the pending elimination restaurant worker tips.
“You are going to see restaurants close,” Hall said. “You are going to see workers laid off, and what are the Democrats doing?”
Michigan’s Supreme Court previously decided to get rid of the current tip system and raise Michigan’s minimum raise to a flat rate of $15 an hour.
If a decision is not amended, it will go into effect in February.
“Prices are going to go up. I mean you are going to be paying $25 for a burger,” Hall said.
Session is scheduled to reconvene Thursday.
Whether Republicans or enough Democrats show up to get any bills passed remains to be seen.