Rep. Mike Lahti votes to protect jobs for Michigan workers

LANSING -- State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) recently voted in favor of the "Hire Michigan First" plan, which rewards companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers with state economic development incentives.

The aggressive job-creation plan also cracks down on companies that hire undocumented workers by creating penalties that include requiring these companies to pay back their state incentives and barring them from future state contracts. The plan now heads to the Senate.

"Our hard-working residents deserve the jobs our tax dollars help to create," Lahti said. "In these tough economic times, workers from other states or countries shouldn't benefit -- our residents have earned those jobs. It is our responsibility to protect these jobs for Michigan workers to help get our economy back on track."

The "Hire Michigan First" plan:
· Rewards companies that hire the most Michigan residents in the pursuit of state tax breaks and other economic development incentives. This rule would apply to projects handled by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and certain state-funded programs, including the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and the Renaissance Zone Act.
· Encourages transparency and accountability by requiring companies that accept incentives to report on whom they hire in order to ensure that Michigan residents are put first.
· Cracks down on companies that hire undocumented workers by creating penalties that include requiring these companies to pay back their tax incentives and barring them from future state contracts.

"I urge my colleagues in the Senate to work quickly to pass this plan," Lahti said. "'Hire Michigan First' will help to fight Michigan's rising unemployment rate. Our state is full of highly skilled workers who are ready and willing to do the job. This plan puts our workers first."