LANSING – State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) today voted for 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.
"When taxpayer dollars are used to fund projects, we must ensure that Michigan workers get first crack at those jobs," Corriveau said. "Michigan's workers are second to none. They have the skills and know-how to tackle any job. We must support our working families during these tough times and create new job opportunities for our workers. That's what this plan does."
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.
"Michigan's working families have been hit hard by downsizing and outsourcing, and every job we protect makes a difference," Corriveau said. "By creating jobs and putting Michigan workers first, our working families will have more money in their pocketbooks – money that will be spent in our local economy. This plan will not only bring much-needed jobs to our community for our workers, it will also help boost our economy and get Michigan back on track."