NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
AUGUST 21, 2024 candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
Crazy Gringo’s Clinton Township Manager Dawn Mathews makes a margarita at the bar.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Members of the Macomb Chamber of Commerce head out on a tour of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.
Photo by Nick Powers
Court’s ruling on wages, sick time reverberates across region WORKERS, BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS REACT TO DIVIDED MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DECISION BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many businesses, including the restaurant industry. All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025 with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the state’s treasurer. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers. All employees, including part-time and tempo-
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER IN THE WORKS BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
This ruling was years in the making. It’s the result of wrangling to keep the issue off the ballot in
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At the State of Lake St. Clair address on July 31, the idea of a potential hotel and conference center along the coast of Macomb County was again floated. Officials say these plans are still in their beginning phases. The idea first surfaced at the State of the Lake event in 2023. Gerard Santoro, Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources program director, said in 2023 they completed a Lake St. Clair coastal study. In the study, they looked at items relating to the county’s “blue economy.” “Any part of the economy that would create businesses and quality of life associated with the water,” Santoro said. “Lake St. Clair in Macomb County scored really high at every level except for lodging.” The plans for a possible hotel and conference center along the shores of Lake St. Clair in Macomb County are still in their early stages. Santoro said they just signed a contract with JLL, a broker and advisor company, for a feasibility study a week before the interview.
See RULING on page 8A
See HOTEL on page 10A
rary workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time a year at large companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year. These sweeping changes will go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. For some, it’s a step toward a living wage for workers. For others, it’s a hit to businesses across the state and possibly tipped workers.
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