LANSING – House Democrats traveled the state today to promote an aggressive job-creation plan that gives priority for state economic development incentives to companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers. The "Hire Michigan First" initiative also cracks down on companies that hire undocumented workers by creating penalties that include requiring them to pay back their state incentives and barring them from future state contracts.
"Every dollar our state spends should be used to create jobs that support Michigan's working families, not people from other states or even other countries," said State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens), the architect of the "Hire Michigan First" plan. "Michigan has plenty of workers who are ready, willing and able to do whatever needs to be done, and they deserve first chance to fill the jobs their tax dollars help create. Michigan's workforce is world class, and we have to make sure that we are putting our workers first."
The "Hire Michigan First" plan:
- Awards state tax breaks and other economic development incentives to companies that hire the most Michigan residents. This rule would apply to projects handled by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and certain state-funded programs, including the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and the Renaissance Zone Act.
- Encourages transparency and accountability by requiring companies that accept incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are put first.
- Cracks down on companies that hire undocumented workers by creating penalties that include requiring them to pay back their tax incentives and barring them from future state contracts.
"Rewarding companies that hire Michigan workers will help fight the outsourcing that is destroying our middle class," said State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Jackson), who sponsored a bill in the package. "With unemployment surpassing 11 percent in Michigan, we have to do everything we can to protect workers and get more residents back in the workplace. Making sure that our tax dollars create jobs for our own residents is one step we can and must take now."
House Democrats expect the House to pass "Hire Michigan First" legislation and send it to the Senate as soon as this week.
"I hope to see strong bipartisan support for this plan in the Senate because putting Michigan workers first should be a priority that we all share," said Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp). "I commend Representative Miller and everyone else who worked on putting together this job-creation plan that will support Michigan workers and protect our middle-class families."
"The Hire Michigan First plan will go a long way in helping Michigan's workers get back on the job," said State Representative Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing). "The state of Michigan has no problem offering tax breaks to companies, but we need to make sure they are employing Michigan residents when they accept these contracts. I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to quickly pass this plan."