LANSING – An aggressive plan supported by State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) to immediately create jobs for Michigan residents moved forward Tuesday, and now heads to the 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.
"Working families are facing increasingly difficult times and have been hit hard by downsizing and outsourcing," said Valentine. "Every job we protect and create makes a difference to our working families and helps put Michigan back on track."
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 illegal immigrants 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 have the skills, work ethic and experience that companies need to stay competitive in our 21st century global economy," said Valentine. "When we reward Michigan businesses that invest in our community and hire our workers now, we are providing a boost to our economy today – and that will create an even brighter tomorrow for our communities."