“Though I wish it could have been accomplished before we reached the eleventh hour, I’m pleased that we were able to forge a compromise that will keep so many of our small businesses from having to cut staff or close all together,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “I’d argue that Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula would have been especially hard hit, had we not been able to get this legislation through, and I feel as though the strong and persistent voices of the Northern Caucus played a significant role in getting it done.”

“If we don’t find a solution, Feb. 21 will effectively begin a purge of many tipped workers and small businesses,” Fairbairn said. “Independent restaurants, tipped wage employee positions, and mom-and-pop shops are going to begin disappearing throughout the state. We know Michigan would not be the same without our many unique small businesses, however, Senate Democrats continue to prove they’re all too willing to take the word of some coastal activists while they gamble with peoples’ livelihoods.”

“I am very pleased and honored to have been appointed to what are arguable four of the most important policy committees to the people of the 107th district,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “As vice chair of the Regulatory Reform Committee I look forward to working to reduce and eliminate unnecessary regulatory policies that hamper the growth of small businesses and our economy, and as a member of the Natural Resources and Tourism Committee I intend to ensure that our state’s natural resources are maximized for the benefit of our citizens. I also don’t believe that there is anywhere in the state where issues around technology and energy are more relevant than Northern Michigan and the UP, right now.”

“Every dollar spent by state government came from someone’s pocket – whether that be a small-business owner in Petoskey, a working mom in Sault Ste. Marie, or some other hard-working taxpayer who calls Michigan home,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “This bipartisan action pulls the curtains down on the outrageous spending culture in Lansing. Starting today, every dollar of ‘special project’ funding requested by a legislator, must be justified to lawmakers and the public alike. We’re putting a stop to the unregulated, undisclosed spending that has become far too prevalent in recent years.”

“It’s a great feeling to be able to say that my first real vote on the House floor was in favor of something as important as this,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “I decided to run for office over five years ago in a deer blind with my dad. I knew then I could make a difference and really help our Northern Michigan and U.P. communities; that gut feeling became a reality today.”

“It’s pretty great to say that on my first committee, considering my first set of bills, we were able to get something done that garnered near-unanimous, bipartisan support,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “This week, we heard from dozens of passionate servers, EMS providers, small business owners, and others, all of whom shared the dire consequences they face if the Legislature does not act with the utmost urgency. What’s played out in committee this week should give everyone hope that bipartisan solutions to this crisis are possible in the very near future. If our committee of Republicans and Democrats can all get on the same page, hopefully that’s a sign that an agreement with the Senate and governor is not too far off.”

House Republicans in the Northern Michigan Caucus on Tuesday released the following statement outlining their support for recently introduced legislation which will help bring solutions to a Michigan Supreme Court decision from last summer. The ruling puts unrealistic mandates on small businesses regarding wages and sick leave while phasing out the tip credit, which provides […]

“As we gear up for the committee process to begin this week, it’s essential we remember that this work cannot occur solely within an echo chamber in Lansing,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “My wife and I have spent months visiting restaurants and small businesses throughout our community. When we’re sitting in committee this week, I’m committed to speaking for the server in Charlevoix whose tips will pay for rent this month and the small business owner in St. Ignace who fears laying off trusted employees because of burdensome new requirements.”

“Our small businesses and tipped-wage workers are staring down the barrel of significant layoffs and potential closures without immediate legislative intervention,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “For months, servers from Petoskey to Sault Ste Marie made it crystal clear, if this matter isn’t addressed quickly, it would be economically devastating to them. In fact, my chief concern coming to Lansing was figuring out how I could achieve immediate action on this issue, when things have seemed to move so slowly for the past couple of years. So, it’s great that less than 24 hours into the new session, Speaker Hall has already established this select committee and entrusted me with the responsibility of getting this done.”

“There is clearly room for tourism and mining here,” Rep. Parker Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “While it is disappointing to see NMU back out on this, the support across the U.P. is very strong. We can mine and care about the environment at the same time. I am confident we will see U.P. copper become a major part of the Michigan and U.S. economy again.”

“As the administration’s appointed stewards of our lands, waters and resources, the DNR needs to ensure that the best interest of Michigan’s residents is at the heart of everything they do, and not the furtherance of political policy initiatives,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “This administration has shown blatant disregard for local control and the input of local residents in crafting policy around alternative energy initiatives, and this is one more example of how it seeks to utilize our state resources to achieve political goals. We need to turn that approach on its head and make the concerns and desires of Michigan residents the starting point for all policy decisions.”

“While these last few weeks have been anxiety-ridden for our restaurant workers and small business owners, I just keep telling people we’re only a few weeks away from a House Republican majority and we will not leave our tipped wage workers behind,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “We’ve all seen how these last few months have gone. Just over a week ago, about 1,000 tipped wage workers were in our state Capitol demanding action to save their industry. House Democrats shut the door in their face. I’ll work hard to open that door and make the changes necessary to protect tipped wage earners and thousands of small businesses that provide their jobs.”