LANSING – Backers of a ballot proposal increasing Michigan’s minimum wage start out in a strong position, according to a new poll released Thursday.
The survey, conducted by the Lansing polling firm EPIC/MRA, showed 60 percent of likely voters would vote yes on increasing the minimum wage from $7.40 an hour to $10 an hour while 36 percent would vote no.
Activists have submitted language for a voter-initiated act that would raise the wage in stages to $9.50 an hour by 2016 as well as gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped employees, now at $2.65 an hour, to the same level as other minimum wage employees.
The proposal also would annually adjust the wage upward by the rate of inflation once it reaches $9.50 an hour.
Supporters are expected to begin gathering signatures toward putting the measure on the November ballot as soon as next week when the Board of State Canvassers reviews their petition as to form.
The survey of 600 likely voters was conducted between February 5-11 via live telephone interviews and has an error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com
