LANSING – One year after spearheading a bold plan to create more jobs by rewarding companies that hire Michigan workers and cracking down on those that hire illegal workers, State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Jackson) today called on the Senate to pass the "Hire Michigan First" plan that has been held up in that chamber for three months.
"Ever since I came to Lansing, I have made creating jobs now for mid-Michigan residents my top priority," said Simpson, a lead sponsor of the "Hire Michigan First" plan. "When our tax dollars create jobs, those jobs should go to Michigan residents – not out-of-state workers or illegal workers. We need to crack down on companies that hire illegal workers, not coddle them. It's time for the Senate to step up to the plate and protect our working families."
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.
Simpson sponsored a part of the package that gives preference in awarding renaissance zone incentives to recipients who promise not to hire illegal workers, 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.