SENATE MAJORITY leader Randy Richardville introduced a bill last week, about three weeks before the deadline for backers of the higher wage hike to file signatures to put their initiated law before the GOP-led Legislature. Assuming legislators do nothing, the outside measure would head to a statewide vote in November.

Richardville’s bill, however, would repeal the existing minimum wage law – which sets the minimum at $7.40 – and enact a new one, potentially rendering the ballot initiative moot.

“He is open to having a discussion about how we can put together a reasonable raise for the people of Michigan and still make sure we’re allowing a good, robust opportunity for job creation as well,” Richardville spokeswoman Amber McCann said. “The ballot has become a very easy and convenient place to push agendas and, just because people are going to the ballot, that shouldn’t preclude the Legislature from exercising its ability…to take control of the situation.”

The last time lawmakers approved a minimum wage increase, in 2006, Republicans struck a deal with then-Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm after it became apparent a ballot proposal was likely to pass if it reached voters. A poll earlier this year showed that 60 percent of likely Michigan voters supported raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour.

Republican legislators are being pressured to do something in response to the potential ballot measure–especially by the restaurant lobby, which is concerned that the initiative would give workers who rely on tips the same base wage as everyone else. The thinking is that threatening to neutralize the ballot proposal or approving a lower wage hike could bring Democratic lawmakers to the bargaining table.

Democrats reacted negatively, though.

“The Republicans have gone out of their way to ignore the will of the people at every opportunity, so the only thing that surprises me about this legislation is how obvious they are in their intention to do so once again,” said Robert McCann, spokesman for Senate Democrats.

Gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer, who has criticized Republican Gov. Rick Snyder for not embracing a minimum wage increase, characterized the new legislation as an election-year gimmick.

“Let’s be clear, $8.15 an hour is still a poverty wage for families in Michigan, and we are better than that,” Schauer said. “This is not a serious proposal, and it should be rejected by the Legislature.”