LANSING — On Monday, members of the “Raise Michigan” campaign submitted a request to the Board of Canvassers asking for the minimum wage to be increased to $9.50 an hour by 2016. Those earning Michigan’s current $7.40 an hour minimum wage live below the federal poverty line. 

“A family can’t survive on $7.40 an hour,” said Rev. Frank Jackson from Mt. Zion AME Church in Detroit. “It’s not fair that members of my congregation work full-time, and still live in poverty.  Everyone who is working full-time deserves to live with dignity.”

The proposal would also ensure the minimum wage keeps up with the cost of living, based on the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, it would guarantee that tipped workers, including waiters and waitresses, eventually earn the full minimum wage. They are currently paid only $2.65 an hour and would receive a 85 cent an hour increase each year until tipped workers are paid the full minimum wage.

The Board of Canvassers is responsible for ensuring that ballot proposals meet certain guidelines regarding clarity and formatting, and has not indicated whether it will hear the proposal.  Proposals can be amended and others submitted until 48 hours before the next Board of Canvassers meeting.

Following approval, “Raise Michigan” would have to collect 258,088 valid signatures from registered voters and submit them in order to have the proposal appear on the November 2014 election. 

“Raise Michigan” includes the Center for Progressive Leadership, Michigan United, Mothering Justice, the Restaurant Opportunities Center-Michigan, MOSES, the People’s Platform/Movement Building Project, the National Employment Law Project and the Wayne State University American Association of University Professors.