LANSING – State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) today voted for the "Hire Michigan First" plan, which will ensure that Michigan workers get the first crack at jobs created by companies that benefit from state economic development programs or tax breaks. The plan will also crack down on companies that hire illegal immigrants by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. It now heads to the Senate for approval.
"Michigan's working families are facing increasingly difficult times and have been hit hard by downsizing and outsourcing," Valentine said. "While we can't control national economic policies or the global economy, we can – and must – control what happens with our state tax dollars. This aggressive plan ensures that when we create jobs, our residents – not out-of-state or illegal workers – get first crack at those jobs."
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.
"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," Valentine said. "We must do everything in our power to bring these jobs to Michigan and support the families and workers that drive our economy forward. 'Hire Michigan First' is a plan that will do just that and help get Michigan back on track."