LANSING – One year after unveiling a bold plan to create more jobs by rewarding companies that hire Michigan workers, State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) said she hopes the Senate will pass the "Hire Michigan First" plan soon, as it has been in that chamber since passing the House three months ago.
"Our working families have been hit hard and continue to suffer as downsizing and outsourcing steal job after job from our communities," Ebli said. "We must do everything we can to protect and create jobs now for our residents. By rewarding businesses that invest in our communities, the Hire Michigan First plan will put our workers back on the job and help families who are struggling to make ends meet."
Ebli unveiled the "Hire Michigan First" plan on Aug. 13, 2007, in an effort to create more jobs for Michigan workers. Michigan currently has the highest unemployment rate in the nation at 8.5 percent, according the U.S. Department of Labor.
The "Hire Michigan First" 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.
- Encourage transparency and accountability by requiring companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are put first.
- Crack down on companies that hire illegal 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.
"Our workers are the finest in the world," Ebli said. "They have the skills and experience companies need to be competitive. By putting our working families first and passing this plan, we can get Michigan back on track."