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Five Stories That Matter in Michigan This Week – July 5, 2024

  1. Michigan Legislature Passes 2025 Fiscal Year Budget

Last week, the Michigan legislature passed an $82.5 billion state budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The budget allocates approximately $60 billion for state government agencies and $23 billion for education.

Why it Matters: The budget, which passed with a party-line vote, is approximately $2 billion larger than the state’s 2024 budget.

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  1. Fraser Trebilcock Shareholder Sean P. Gallagher Recognized as a ‘Michigan Go To Lawyer’ for Cannabis Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Fraser Trebilcock Shareholder Sean P. Gallagher has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Michigan Go To Lawyer’ in 2024 for cannabis law. “I am honored to have been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Michigan Go To Lawyer’ for cannabis law,” said Sean.

Why it Matters: Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s program honors leading lawyers in a particular field of law as nominated by their peers. Michigan’s Go To Lawyers identifies and recognizes the top lawyers across the state in a given practice area. Read more.

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  1. Department of Labor’s Overtime Rule Goes into Effect

Effective July 1, 2024, the minimum salary for exemption from overtime as an executive, administrative, or professional employee will increase from $684 per week ($35,568 annualized) to $844 per week ($43,888 annualized). On January 1, 2025, this threshold will further increase to $1,128 per week ($58,656 annualized). The rule also raises the minimum total annual compensation level for exemption as a “highly compensated employee” from $107,432 to $132,964 effective July 1, 2024, and to $151,164 effective January 1, 2025. These thresholds will continue to be adjusted every three years starting July 1, 2027.

Why it Matters: The new rule will have a substantial impact on businesses, requiring them to either raise salaries for certain employees or reclassify them as non-exempt and pay overtime wages.

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  1. Michigan Cannabis Exceeds $279 Million in May ‘24

Cannabis sales surpassed $279 million in May, via the monthly report from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Michigan adult-use sales came in at $278,005,199.31, while medical sales came in at $1,607871.79, totaling $279,613,071.10.

Why it Matters: Marijuana sales remain strong in Michigan, particularly for recreational use. However, there still are significant concerns about profitability and market oversaturation that the industry is contending with.

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  1. Criminal Defense and Professional Licensing Attorney

Helping clients for more than two decades, Robert J. Andretz is an experienced criminal defense and professional licensing attorney who has successfully represented clients in both state and federal courts in felony and misdemeanor cases in more than 50 counties across the state of Michigan.

Why it Matters: Robert Andretz is passionate about what he does, and, understanding the direct and collateral consequences that a criminal conviction or professional licensing sanction can bring, he compassionately works with his clients to focus on what matters most to them. Learn more and to contact Rob.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher
Labor, Employment & Civil Rights | David Houston
Professional Licensing | Robert Andretz