PHOTO INFORMATION: State Representative Bill G. Schuette was joined by Tammy Upchurch, of Midland, and her husband Tim for Wednesday’s State of the State address at the state Capitol in Lansing.

Tammy Upchurch, who waitresses at Buffalo Wild Wings in Midland, was a consistent advocate for preserving Michigan’s tip credit system in the face of a Michigan Supreme Court ruling last summer that put unrealistic mandates on workers and small businesses. In January, she offered testimony in support of proposals before a committee Schuette chaired, the House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses, that eventually was incorporated into new laws signed by the governor.

“Thanks to the voices of hardworking people throughout our state like Tammy, we were able to get a bipartisan compromise to the governor that preserved Michigan’s tip credit, raised wages and ensured fair, flexible sick leave options that will work for workers and job providers,” Schuette said. “I was proud to make getting this done a priority, and I was honored to be joined by Tammy and Tim for the State of the State address.”

Schuette represents Midland as part of the 95^th House District.