LANSING – In a move to reward companies that hire Michigan workers, State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) threw her support behind 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.
"Michigan's workers are second-to-none," Byrum said. "When companies receive tax breaks and other benefits for economic development programs in Michigan, they should hire Michigan workers. This plan will ensure that Michigan's workers come first."
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, Transportation Economic Development Fund, Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act and the 21st Century Jobs 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.
"Our working families are struggling to make ends meet, and this plan will help them keep their heads above water," Byrum said. "Taxpayer dollars are used for economic development projects, and that means Michigan taxpayers should be hired to do those jobs."