But those who advocate bringing the state minimum wage in line with the federal government's higher rate say it's worth the effort to give those earning the state's lower wage of $3.35 an hour their first raise in 16 years.
An estimated 100,000 people work for companies that do not have to meet the federal government's higher standards because they don't do business outside Michigan and gross less than $500,000 a year.
However, no one appears to know how many people actually are paid the state minimum wage.
Regardless, votes are expected tomorrow in the House and Senate on cleaned-up versions of two bills that both raise the wage to $4.75 an hour on July 1 and to $5.15 an hour six months later. Those increases mirror the federal minimum wage changes.
According to an agreement between House Democrats and Senate Republicans, different provisions will be attached to each bill. Both then will be sent to Gov. John Engler, so that credit on a minimum wage hike can be shared between the political parties.
The extra provisions include lowering the age when the minimum wage must apply to 16 years old from 18 and raising the hourly salary for tipped restaurant employees by 13 cents to $2.65 an hour.
A $4.25 "training wage" for employees younger than 20 years old also would be allowed for 90 days, and employees would be able to choose time off over money as compensation for overtime.
The House has been moving slowly so far, voting on just three significant issues in its first three weeks. This week may be no different, as there is little else on the chamber's calendar.
House committees, by contrast, have their first week of busy schedules as more items from the majority Democrats' 90-day agenda start moving through.
For example, the tax panel plans to look at letting low-income seniors defer property taxes beyond the current 5-year limit and setting up a state income tax check-off box to fund a Vietnam memorial.
And the Human Services Committee will vote on a bill permitting tax deductions of up to $5,000 per child for day-care costs.
Another of the Democrats' 90-day priority items would address how the state notifies the public of the dangers of eating certain Great Lakes fish. A bill requiring the adoption of a 1993 task force's recommendations on the issue is being discussed in the Conservation Committee.
Finally, the Education Committee will take up a measure to override Gov. John Engler's plan to strip the State Board of Education of much of its duties.
One of the governor's executive orders makes state Schools Chief Art Ellis administrative head of the department starting March 10. The other transfers the board's administrative powers in 139 areas to Ellis effective July 1.
The responsibilities being transferred range from minor ones such as approving community colleges' names to more visible ones such as developing standardized tests and overseeing charter schools.
The orders still would let the board set policy in those areas to be carried out by the department.
But a bipartisan majority of the board has asked Engler to dump at least part of his plan. The governor so far has not responded to the request, board President Kathleen Straus, (D-Detroit), said last week.
A House proposal would stop Engler's reorganization efforts. Sponsored by Rep. Laura Baird, (D-Okemos), it needs majority votes in both chambers within 60 days of the orders' effective dates to be successful.
The Senate also has little pending on the floor aside from the minimum wage hike.
Some minor issues ready for votes include bills spelling out penalties for possessing drugs in a public park and making it a crime to impersonate an employee of a public utility.
A third measure would include carjacking in the felony murder law. That would mean violators could be sentenced to life in prison without parole if they murder someone during a carjacking.