the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Jan 6, 2025
After the November 2024 elections, Democrats were still the ruling party in Michigan. They held a trifecta—control of the State House, Senate, and Governor’s office. With Republicans taking control of the State House in 2025, this “lame-duck” period was a moment not to be wasted. Democrats had not been in full control since 1934!
So, what happened? A lot of drama and little else. On December 13, Republicans walked out in a huff. They wanted to block increases to the minimum wage for tipped workers. Later that night, a Democrat, Karen Whitsett, joined them. She said she agreed with blocking minimum wage increases for tipped workers. Spoiler Alert: Without enough representatives in seats, no legislation could pass!
Why the dramatics? Were tipped wages about to go up to $25 an hour? No! On February 21, 2025, the minimum wage for tipped workers will go up to $5.99 an hour. By February 21, 2028, the minimum wage for tipped workers will be—$11.98. Attempting to block tiny increases in tipped wages was the reason for the theatrics!
Before this drama, what “progressive” legislation DID get passed? A few ho-hum bills.
A new law was passed to block rental companies from discriminating based on source of income for renters. Yet this law does NOT block banks from discriminating based on source of income for buying a home!
A new law was passed providing the first increase in unemployment benefits since 2003. Whoopee! Because this increase will NEVER reach the weekly rate ALL unemployed workers got in 2020 during the pandemic!
And on the straight up “losses” side, new tax breaks for corporations got passed to lure data centers to Michigan. These data centers suck up astronomical amounts of water and energy from surrounding communities.
And in a bad encore, a new law was passed legalizing automated speed cameras with $150 and $300 fines! These cameras will start out in construction zones. During the summer, what roads in Michigan are NOT a construction zone!
Despite the political theatrics, here is a sneak preview of what lies ahead. Neither Democrats nor Republicans will ever fight like hell for workers. Even on the rare occasion of good intentions, both parties are on a short leash, a choke chain in the hands of the wealthy who control them. For workers to have what we need requires our own fight and our own political party that we control.