DETROIT – Calling for state leaders to back up their bipartisan talk with action, Detroit House Democrats today announced their plans to reintroduce the Hire Michigan First plan, an aggressive job-creation package that will put Michigan workers back on the job now by making sure they are first in line for the jobs their tax dollars create. The Hire Michigan First plan supports working families by rewarding companies that employ Michigan workers and cracks down on those that hire undocumented workers.
“In these tough times, people across Detroit just need the chance to go to work every day and make a living,” said State Representative Thomas Stallworth III (D-Detroit). “We need to stand up for our workers and their families. Hire Michigan First will help our residents benefit directly when their tax dollars are used to create jobs. We should act on this plan quickly.”
House Democrats passed the Hire Michigan First plan multiple times in past legislative sessions, but key provisions were gutted by the Republican-controlled Senate.
The Hire Michigan First plan helps make sure that state economic development incentives and contracts are used to hire Michigan workers, not illegal immigrants or workers from other states. Michigan will spend nearly $3 billion this year on tax incentives for businesses, but there is currently no way for the state to determine how many jobs they create or if those jobs are going to Michigan workers.
The plan to be introduced Tuesday:
• Gives companies that hire Michigan workers priority in the awarding of state tax incentives and other economic development tools.
• Creates transparency and accountability by requiring companies that accept incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are put first.
• Cracks down on companies that hire undocumented workers by creating penalties that can include requiring them to pay back their tax incentives and barring them from future state contracts.
