LANSING - State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) voted today for the "Hire Michigan First" plan, which will ensure that Michigan workers get 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. The plan, which passed the House with bipartisan support, now goes to the Senate for approval.
"We must fight for every single job and put our own workers first as we work to get Michigan's economy back on track," said Brown, who sponsored a key part of the package. "We have plenty of workers who can get the job done, and this plan will create the opportunities our workers need and deserve. When Michigan tax dollars are used to create jobs, our workers should have first crack at those jobs - it's that simple."
The "Hire Michigan First" plan will:
Give priority 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.
"It's time to make sure that our own working families benefit from state incentives - not workers from other states or illegal immigrants," Brown said. "Creating jobs has a ripple effect on our local economy because it means that families have more money to spend, which supports our local businesses. 'Hire Michigan First' is a common-sense plan that will help create the jobs we need now."