Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance are seeking to hire a Director of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. This position will serve as the primary staff leadership for the legislative advocacy activities and public initiatives for the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance and Traverse Connect.

The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is a coalition of 19 chamber and economic development organizations from across northern Michigan. Our coalition exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward with rural-centric business policy.

Focus is given to supporting the success of existing northern Michigan businesses, developing and attracting a talented workforce in northern Michigan, and maximizing the competitiveness of the rural northern Michigan business environment. The Alliance includes nine Partners, one Supporting Partner, six Associate Partners, and over 7,000 member businesses from across northern Michigan.

Find the NMCA on the web and like us on Facebook! 

A statewide effort is underway to pause Michigan’s new minimum wage law and put the issue directly to voters in the November 2026 election. This could have major implications for local employers, especially those in hospitality and tourism, key industries here in Manistee.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

A group called Voters to Stop Pay Cuts is trying to change Michigan’s minimum wage law.



They’ve been given the green light to collect signatures for a 2026 ballot proposal.

If they get over 223,000 valid signatures, Michigan’s current law, Public Act 1 of 2025, would be paused and possibly replaced with an older plan from 2018.

In 2018, there was a plan to:

• Raise the minimum wage
• Get rid of the lower “tipped wage” (so servers and bartenders would earn full minimum wage plus tips)

That plan didn’t move forward at the time. But in 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court said the state has to put that plan in place. To make things easier for businesses, the state passed a new law in 2025 (Public Act 1) that:

• Keeps the lower tipped wage
• Raises it slowly over time instead of all at once

Now, the new group, Voters to Stop Pay Cut, wants to cancel the 2025 law and let voters decide whether to go back to the 2018 plan instead.

WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR MANISTEE?

If the ballot initiative succeeds, the 2025 law (Public Act 1) would be paused immediately, and the 2018 plan would resume effect. That means:

• All workers, including tipped employees, would need to be paid full minimum wage, plus tips.
• Restaurants, bars, and other service-based businesses would see a significant jump in payroll costs.
• Employers may have to raise prices, reduce hours, cut staff, or automate jobs to make ends meet, especially challenging for seasonal and small businesses.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Signature collection is underway. If the group reaches the required number, the proposal will appear on the November 2026 ballot, and the new wage rules will be frozen until then.

Although the state’s fiscal year begins October 1, school districts started their new budgets July 1, and without a state budget in place, planning is difficult. Local governments face similar uncertainty as they prepare for the year ahead.

Businesses are also watching closely, with key programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund, which supports workforce training, still awaiting funding decisions.

Meanwhile, discussions around a long-term road funding solution have gained momentum. While no deal is finalized, infrastructure investment remains a top priority for Michigan employers.

Starting in 2025, new federal tax deductions offer savings for workers and residents, including deductions on reported tips, overtime pay, and interest on new car loans. Seniors aged 65 and older can also claim an additional deduction. These benefits apply to a wide range of taxpayers, with income limits and IRS guidelines forthcoming. These changes aim to reduce taxable income and provide relief to Manistee’s workforce and senior community.

No Tax on Tips (2025–2028)

• Employees and self-employed can deduct qualified tips received in tipped occupations listed by the IRS.
• Max deduction: $25,000 annually; self-employed limited by net income.
• Phases out above $150K MAGI ($300K joint).
• Must include Social Security Number; married couples must file jointly.
• Employers must report tips to IRS; IRS to publish eligible occupations by Oct 2, 2025.

No Tax on Overtime Pay (2025–2028)

• Deduct the portion of overtime pay exceeding regular wages (e.g., “half” of time-and-a-half).
• Max deduction: $12,500 ($25,000 joint).
• Phases out above $150K MAGI ($300K joint).
• Reporting required from employers; Social Security Number and joint filing needed for deduction.

No Tax on Car Loan Interest (2025–2028)

• Deduct interest on loans for new, personal-use vehicles assembled in the U.S. (leases don’t qualify).
• Max deduction: $10,000 annually.
• Phases out above $100K MAGI ($200K joint).
• Vehicle must weigh under 14,000 lbs; must provide VIN on return.
• Lenders must report interest paid.

Additional Deduction for Seniors (2025–2028)

• Taxpayers 65+ can claim an extra $6,000 deduction (up to $12,000 for couples).
• Phases out above $75K MAGI ($150K joint).
• Must include Social Security Number; joint filing required for married couples.

From the City of Manistee, petitions are available for the Second, Fourth, and Sixth District City Council seats.

Council members for these districts will be elected for two-year terms at the November 4, 2025 election.

The following qualifications are required:

• Must be a registered voter of the City for not less than two (2) years immediately preceding the filing deadline.
• Must currently be registered and live in the open district.
• Must be at least 25 years old as of the filing deadline.

Nominating Petitions are available from the City Clerk’s office. Petitions require 25 signatures of registered voters from within district (but less than 50).

For more information, contact the City Clerk’s office (231) 398-2803 or email hpefley@manisteemi.gov.

Deadline for returning petitions is Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

All Michigan businesses with 10 or less employees must comply with Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and related wage law updates by October 1st.

The Michigan Chamber is offering a Compliance Toolkit.

Save $50 with promo code TK-MAY.

Act now to avoid penalties and stay compliant by the October 1st deadline!

The Manistee Area Chamber encourages you to stay educated on how to contact your local legislators. Use the links below for information on your local state representative, state senator, and how to contact the Governor's Office.