LANSING – An aggressive House plan to immediately create jobs for Michigan residents has moved forward, and now heads to the full House floor for a vote. The "Hire Michigan First" plan will ensure that Michigan residents get the first crack at jobs created by companies benefiting from state economic development programs or tax breaks. The plan will also crack down on companies that hire undocumented workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives.
"Downsizing and outsourcing have stolen one job after another from our communities," said State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe). "Michigan's working families have been hit hard – and we must every do everything we can to protect and create jobs now for our residents. This plan will accomplish that by rewarding Michigan businesses that invest in our community and hire our workers today."
The comprehensive plan will:
- Give preference for tax breaks and other economic development tools 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, the Renaissance Zone Act and several others.
- Require companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are put first, encouraging transparency and accountability.
- Crack down on companies that hire undocumented workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. The plan would also require them to pay back incentives already received and bar them from future contracts.
"The hard-working men and women of Michigan are second to none," Ebli said. "This plan will support our communities by creating jobs and putting our residents – who have the skills and experience that companies need to stay competitive – into good-paying jobs now."