LANSING – The Michigan House today passed 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 workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. It now heads to the Senate for approval.
"It's only fair that, when companies receive incentives paid for with taxpayer dollars, they hire Michigan workers," said State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Jackson), sponsor of a key bill in the Hire Michigan First package. "We must stand strong with our working families during these tough economic times. My aggressive plan will ensure that Michigan workers come first."
Simpson sponsored part of the package, which passed with bipartisan support, that will give preference in awarding renaissance zone incentives to recipients who promise not to hire illegal aliens, to comply in good faith with federal legal-status verification requirements, and to hire only Michigan residents or contract with firms that promise the same unless that is impossible.
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.