LANSING – Oakland County Democratic State Representatives today threw their support behind an aggressive job-creation plan that rewards companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers with state economic development incentives. 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.
"When state tax dollars create jobs, Michigan workers should be the ones who benefit from those jobs," said State Representative Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield), one of the sponsors of the plan. "Outsourcing and downsizing are destroying our middle class. We have to do everything we can to make sure that our workers, not people from other states or other countries, come 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.
"In order to fight our mounting unemployment rate and turn our economy around, we have to do everything we can to attract more businesses and get our residents back on the job," said State Representative Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills). "By rewarding businesses that commit to hiring Michigan residents, we can make Michigan a magnet for companies looking for a favorable business climate and a strong, capable workforce. This plan is a key step toward a stronger economy and a revitalized Michigan."
House Democrats expect the House to pass "Hire Michigan First" legislation and send it to the Senate as soon as this week.
"Companies that hire illegal workers are not only hurting Michigan residents, but they are ruining our state's economy," said State Representative Tim Melton (D-Pontiac). "Michigan's workforce needs leaders that will fight for them and their continued economic survival. This plan will ensure that Michigan residents get first dibs at the jobs being offered within the state."
State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak) said: "Right now, Michigan's talented workforce is being overlooked by employers because it's cheaper for them to hire undocumented workers. Companies that receive tax incentives from the state will no longer be able to ignore our state's workers. Hire Michigan First is a step in the right direction to getting our workers back on the job and our economy back on track."