A state lawmaker is trying to ensure that direct care workers in Michigan get paid 15-dollars an hour.
Democratic Senator Jeff Irwin says there’s a crisis in Michigan. That’s because the people who provide in home care for the sick, elderly, and disabled aren’t getting paid enough. As a result it’s difficult to find qualified people for the jobs.
Irwin proposed an amendment to the Senate version of the state budget in May. It didn’t pass. But Irwin says he’ll keep working to get the 15-dollars an hour requirement in the final budget.
“I think it’s going to be very challenging given the focus being on roads and schools and all of our very intense needs in those areas. But I’m going to continue to try and get this into the viewfinder of all of my colleagues," he said.
Irwin’s plan would add $400 million to the Department of Health and Human Services budget to pay the workers. But a majority of the money wouldn’t come from the state – instead it would come from federal programs that match money the state provides.
