LANSING, Mich. - Today Senate Democrats fought to pass a package of bills called ‘Hire Michigan First’ that would reward companies that employ Michigan workers with state economic development incentives. Democrats pointed out that as the state allocates federal recovery funds to create jobs, Michigan workers should be the first in line to benefit.

“With unemployment the highest it’s been in decades we need to make sure that our tax dollars benefit the working families of Michigan, and are not sent away to other states,” said Senator Glenn S. Anderson. “We have a talented, smart workforce that is ready to work and this legislation would ensure that these workers are being hired first for Michigan jobs.”

The ‘Hire Michigan First’ legislation was passed by the House of Representatives in early March and headed to the Republican-led Senate where the bills have not been addressed. Senate Democrats moved to force a vote on the legislation during session today, and while their actions failed on a party-line vote, they will keep fighting for the needs of Michigan workers.

“The Senate’s main priority needs to be creating jobs and boosting economic growth in Michigan,” said Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi. “By refusing to pass legislation that would help put Michigan workers back on the job the Senate Republicans are not doing their part to support our workers and their families.”

Some recent examples have come to light that underscore the need to move this legislation quickly. When the Mackinac Bridge needed to be repainted, two different companies that were hired to do the job brought in out-of-state labor. A Colorado-based company received $2.2 million in state incentives to work on a major expansion project in Battle Creek only to bring in their own workers instead of hiring locally. And in Marysville, area workers were appalled when the construction of a new ethanol plant went to a company that shipped in workers from Texas to fill local jobs, despite receiving state tax incentives for the project.

“I’ve stood on the picket lines with the hardworking men and women of Flint and Marysville and watched trucks with Oklahoma and Texas license plates parade past on state-funded job sites,” said Sen. Gleason. “As the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act continues to bring in billions of dollars to create Michigan jobs, we need to pass this legislation to make sure they go to Michigan workers.”

‘Hire Michigan First’ has seen a great deal of support from the online community in the form of groups, causes and petitions. The Senate Democrats’ Facebook Cause ‘Hire Michigan First’ was created in the beginning of March and membership has already grown to more than 800 people. To visit the Facebook Cause, click on this link: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/235147.

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