Industry Specific Issues
Support Licensing Reforms Embodied in the Office of Regulatory Reform (O.R.R.) Report
The MRA has long argued that Michigan’s approach to liquor control is antiquated and in need of updating. More specifically, the association maintains that the licensing process has been inefficient, inconsistent, and favors a “gotcha” mentality that presumes illicit intent over a cooperative relationship with the business community.
The MRA acknowledges and appreciates the efforts undertaken by the new administration to streamline the process and cultivate a new culture, but contends more must be done to achieve a level of success worthy of a reinvented Michigan.
Towards that end, the MRA will work with the legislature and administration in the coming year to enact recommendations in the O.R.R. Report from the Liquor Control Advisory Rules Committee streamlining the licensing process for on-premises establishments, and provide greater certainty to license holders and those seeking licenses.
Of particular importance is the creation of a “conditional” or temporary license. If an operator is willing to assume the risk of opening without the assurance of a permanent license, the state should support this commonsense measure that provides the operator greater certainty while providing the state jobs and tax revenue. A conditional license is an ideal route for a licensee with multiple locations and experience with MLCC to open their doors sooner.
Mandatory Paid Leave
An onerous mandatory paid leave law would be disastrous to Michigan’s tenuous economic recovery, and especially devastating to the restaurant industry. It would increase operating costs, resulting in lower wages and fewer total jobs. The restaurant industry would be especially hard hit by this mandate given its razor-thin profit margins of just 4 percent and predominant makeup of small businesses.
The MRA will oppose any legislation similar to a previously introduced bill that mandated a business with less than 10 employees provide a minimum of 40 paid sick leave hours to each employee. Businesses with more than 10 employees must provide a minimum of 72 paid sick leave hours to each employee. Leave could be taken by the hour and used for personal health or the health of any family member or loved one. An employee would not be required to show any documentation of illness unless he or she has failed to show up for work for more than three consecutive days.
The MRA also opposes mandatory paid leave efforts at the local level as they pose the additional burden of forcing multiple location owners to create separate policies for different locations.
Attempts to Amend the Smoking Ban Law
The MRA acknowledges and has adapted to the Ron Davis Smoke Free Air Law, embodied in Public Act 188 of 2009. The MRA will continue to oppose any legislative efforts to create exemptions to the law, arguing that if a ban exists, it must exist as uniformly as possible to allow for competition on a level playing field for all operators.
Beverage Ban
The MRA will oppose any attempts in Michigan to implement a ban of sugar-sweetened beverages. Considering that only 1.5% of total caloric intake at restaurants comes from sugar-sweetened beverages, the ban is arbitrary and capricious and will not affect the change it desires. The MRA will continue its strong partnership with public health officials to help educate the public on healthy dining options, but opposes rigid government mandates that harm the industry and don’t get results.
Continued Support for Tourism in Michigan
Michigan supports the “Pure Michigan” campaign and will work to ensure a full and stable funding source for the program that does not increase taxes or fees on any industry.
The MRA partnered with several State departments and Michigan State University to launch the
Catch & Cook Program.