LANSING – In a move to reward companies that hire Michigan workers, State Representatives Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens) and Mike Simpson (D-Liberty Twp.) today announced an aggressive job-creation plan that gives priority for economic development projects to companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers. The "Hire Michigan First" initiative also cracks down on the practice of hiring illegal immigrants and prohibits businesses that violate these guidelines from receiving tax breaks or future state contracts.
"When companies take advantage of tax breaks or state economic development programs, Michigan workers deserve the first crack at those jobs," Miller said. "Michigan tax dollars should not fund grants or tax incentives for businesses that hire people from other states and countries when Michigan residents have the training and expertise and need those jobs. Michigan families have been hit hard by outsourcing and downsizing, and every scarce state dollar should be used to create jobs here in Michigan."
The "Hire Michigan First" plan:
· Gives companies that hire 100 percent Michigan workers priority in the awarding of tax breaks and other economic development tools. This rule would apply to projects handled by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., and certain state-funded programs, including the Strategic Fund Act and the Transportation Economic Development Fund.
· Requires companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they are hiring to ensure that Michigan workers are put first, encouraging transparency and accountability.
· Requires businesses with contracts for construction of state buildings to hire 100 percent of their workers from Michigan, strengthening the current requirement of 50 percent.
· Cracks down on companies that exploit illegal immigrant workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. The plan would require them to pay back incentives already received and bar them from future contracts.
"Over the past few years, we've seen thousands of jobs outsourced or downsized," Simpson said. "Michigan's economy has lagged due to the loss of our manufacturing sector. The 'Hire Michigan First' plan will award economic development funds first to those companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers. Not only will our job-creation plan help jumpstart our economy, but it also will level the playing field for Michigan's working families."