Senate committee approves Richardville legislation to ensure Michigan taxpayer dollars benefit state residents
LANSING – The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee today approved an 11-bill “Buy Michigan/Hire Michigan” package that would help ensure Michigan taxpayer dollars will be used to benefit state residents and job providers, said Sen. Randy Richardville, one of the sponsors of the legislation.
“Given our major economic problems, we need to do everything we can to ensure money we pay for state taxes supports Michigan’s job providers and workers,” said Richardville, R-Monroe. “The main goal of the legislation is to help people in Michigan and those willing to come to Michigan to work, rather than out-of-state businesses and workers.”
The “Hire Michigan” legislation requires recipients of state tax credits, abatements, grants and loans to hire Michigan workers, or workers who will become Michigan residents, to construct the new facilities or carry out the projects.
Senate Bill 539, sponsored by Richardville, would add the Film Infrastructure Credit to the list of state tax credits, abatements, grants and loans obligated to use Michigan workers. The bill focuses on the construction of studios, rather than the actual filming.
The House passed similar legislation this year, but the Senate proposal addresses several major problems. Key changes include:
• Adding a “Buy Michigan” component to the package to allow the state to use its purchasing power as a market participant to add Michigan job providers;
• Allowing job providers to include individuals who will become state residents; and
• Eliminating penalties for businesses located on the state border.
“The Senate version of the legislation offers an important balance in hiring Michigan workers and buying Michigan products,” Richardville said. “Our plan will help increase state government contracting for businesses whose products are made, manufactured or grown in Michigan.”
Senate Bills 290, 293, 295, 502 and 539 and House Bills 4083, 4089, and 4092-4094 now move to the Senate floor for further consideration.
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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