LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill last week that would eliminate federal taxes on tips. Now, a Lansing lawmaker is looking to get a similar deal on the table in Michigan.

State Rep. Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Township) is advocating for House Bill 4051 which would eliminate taxes on tipped wages in Michigan. Rep. Aragona sang the praises of Michigan’s tipped wage workers on The Steve Gruber Show on Tuesday.

MORE NEWS: Another Group Claims K-12 Schools Are Underfunded Despite Record Funding Levels

“They are hustling for their dollar so let’s give them a bit of a break,” Aragona said. “The harder they work, the more they should earn.”

Michigan’s tipped wage policies allow wait staff and service employees to make additional money above their base pay. Aragona said that works fine until the tables aren’t as busy and the bar stools are empty.

“You can make a regular hourly wage and you know your wage is stable,” Aragona said, referring to hourly workers promised a living wage by employers. “The guys and girls showing up to be servers are all over the place.” He said he wants to “reward” their work ethic.

Michigan’s restaurant and bar industry has been through the wringer in the past five years. Businesses endured Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stringent COVID-19 lockdowns during 2020 and 2021. This past winter, the Democratic-controlled Legislature failed to keep the state’s increased minimum wage from taking effect for tipped workers. The newly elected GOP Michigan House worked to get those policies passed at the eleventh hour.