The Republican-controlled Michigan Senate has adopted ballot initiatives that would increase the state's minimum wage and require paid sick leave.
If the GOP-led House follows suit later Wednesday, the measures will become law and not be placed on the Michigan ballot in November. The strategy would make it easier for lawmakers to change the proposals in the postelection "lame-duck" session with simple majority votes. A group backing the minimum wage drive says the maneuver would be unconstitutional.
For now, legislators have voted to gradually boost the minimum wage to $12 and mandate that employers provide earned sick leave to employees.
Business groups are lobbying Republicans to act because if voters approved the initiatives, any future changes would require three-fourths votes in both the House and Senate.
