LANSING – Representatives of the hard-working men and women who make up the backbone of Michigan's economy today threw their support behind an aggressive job-creation plan crafted by State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens).
"I am pleased by the support being shown for this plan," said Miller, who is chair of the House Labor Committee. "Michigan's working families have been hit hard by downsizing and outsourcing, and our residents deserve the first crack at jobs created by companies that benefit from state economic development programs or tax breaks."
Several workers and contractors spoke today at the Capitol in support of "Hire Michigan First," a comprehensive plan that would:
- Give preference for tax breaks and other economic development tools to companies that will 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 receive state construction contracts hire 100 percent Michigan residents, strengthening the current requirement of 50 percent.
- Require companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they are hiring to ensure that Michigan residents are put first, encouraging transparency and accountability.
- Crack down on companies that exploit undocumented workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. A "clawback" clause in the plan would require them to pay back incentives already received and bar them from future contracts.
Testimony before Tuesday's joint meeting of the House Labor and Commerce committees included examples of projects that used out-of-state workers while benefiting from Michigan's economic development incentives. These examples included the state's approval of a tax-free Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zone to support the construction of a Marysville ethanol plant. An out-of-state company brought in its workers from Texas for this project.
"Hire Michigan First" would not affect projects that have already been approved by the state – but Miller noted that the examples mentioned Tuesday provide compelling arguments for the urgent need to implement the plan for future projects.
Acknowledging the comprehensive package's potential impact as a job-creation program, dozens of legislators have also backed this plan.
Additional hearings will be held on the package, House Bills 5780-5791.
"My plan is designed to reward Michigan residents and Michigan businesses by encouraging companies to invest in our community," Miller said. "By protecting and creating jobs in Michigan, we will succeed in turning our state's economy around. Times are changing, and we have to fight for every single Michigan job we can – that's why I am so focused on making 'Hire Michigan First' a reality for the hard-working men and women of our state."