When Michigan tax dollars are used to create jobs, Michigan residents should have first crack at those jobs. This common-sense belief is the foundation of the "Hire Michigan First" plan, an aggressive job-creation package the state House recently passed.
Michigan spends $1.25 billion a year in incentives to attract businesses and diversify Michigan's economy for one ultimate purpose: to create jobs. We must make sure that those jobs -- created with our tax dollars -- benefit our working families, not the residents of other states or undocumented workers.
With the highest unemployment rate in the nation, we have to fight for every job. As we work to create and protect good-paying jobs, it is unacceptable to use our taxpayer dollars to subsidize jobs for residents of other states -- and even other countries.
Contrary to the false impression imparted by the May 22 editorial, the Hire Michigan First plan will not create "hassles" for companies ("Adding business hassles kills jobs and investment"). The plan shows that Michigan is open for business, and that we will reward companies that put our talented residents to work. The Hire Michigan First plan gives companies that hire more Michigan workers priority in the awarding of state tax breaks and economic development tools. It is reasonable to expect companies that accept these taxpayer-funded incentives to benefit Michigan taxpayers.
This plan also addresses the problem of companies who accept state incentives or contracts and then knowingly hire undocumented workers. This practice exploits those workers, hurts legitimate workers by driving down wages and compromises businesses' ability to compete.
With global trade agreements and other economic factors taking their toll, we must focus on what we can control. We must ensure that Michigan taxpayers' dollars go to create jobs for our own residents. Michigan deserves economic policies that put people ahead of corporate profits.
Editorial Rebuttal
State Rep. Fred Miller
D-Mount Clemens
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