MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Michigan has a new minimum wage law taking effect in March. Minimum wage will begin rising from its current $9.25 an hour ultimately to $12.05/hour in 2030 which is 8 years later than what the successful citizens initiative called for that triggered the process. Many Republicans and the state’s business community were relieved and cheered when Governor Rick Snyder signed the bill into law in December. They considered the provisions in the citizens initiative a threat to the state’s economic recovery and likely unsustainable. But the scaled-down measure triggered a serious backlash. Supporters of the citizens’ initiative accuse Governor Snyder and the Republican-majority legislature of “gutting” a measure supported by about 400-thousand Michigan residents. But any discussion of wages has more threads to it than just the minimum wage. There’s a closely related debate over what constitutes a fair wage. There’s a decades-old discussion involving equal pay for equal work that rages on in 2019. We will explore all these issues with our expert panel on the new episode of Open Line.

Guests:
-Brandon Betz, Labor Economist, Anderson Economic Group.
-Dave Hebert, Aquinas College Professor of Economics and member of The Mackinac Center for Public Policy Board of Scholars.
-Pete Vargas, Organizer at Michigan One Fair Wage and State Organizing Director of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United of Michigan.

LIVE Thursday, February 21st 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Host:
Mark Bashore

Viewers will have the opportunity to ask questions during the live program by calling 517.349.1232. Questions can also be asked on Twitter using the @HOMTV Twitter handle or on HOMTV's Facebook page.

WATCH LIVE on Comcast Channel 21 in East Lansing, Haslett and Okemos, HOMTV Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/HOMTV) or www.homtv.net.