Lansing Update: May 30, 2014

1. Legislation Increasing Minimum Wage Signed Into Law
2. Bishops Continue Advocacy Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Legislation Increasing Minimum Wage Signed Into Law

On Wednesday, May 28, Governor Snyder signed a measure increasing the minimum wage into law as Public Act 138 of 2014. Under the legislation, formerly known as Senate Bill 934, the minimum wage will gradually increase over the next several years. In September, the amount will be raised from $7.40 to $8.15, and then it will increase to $8.50 on January 1, 2016, $8.90 on January 1, 2017, and $9.25 on January 1, 2018. After 2018, the minimum wage will be tied to increases in inflation. Tipped employees, starting on September 1, will make thirty-eight percent of the regular minimum wage. With passage of the act, Michigan became the eighth state this year to enact a minimum wage hike.

Bishops Continue Advocacy Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

In April, the U.S. bishops held a Mass at the U.S.-Mexican border to raise awareness about the need for immigration reform and build on legislative advocacy efforts from the Social Ministry Gathering in February. On Thursday, May 29, 2014, members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration came together once again to celebrate Mass and pray for immigrants, this time at St. Peter Catholic Church on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. During the Mass, there was a special focus on those families who have been separated due to deportation. Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami stated in his homily:

“Our immigration system is a stain on the soul of our nation. As a moral matter, it must be changed. We must pray that our elected officials recognize this and have the courage to reform it.”

After the Mass, the bishops who were present visited several members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Speaker John Boehner, to urge the consideration and enactment of comprehensive immigration reform. For the latest updates on this topic, visit Justice for Immigrants at http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/.

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