Senate approves Richardville Hire Michigan legislation
LANSING – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Randy Richardville that balances the goals of recruiting desperately needed job providers to our state while also ensuring that the benefits of taxpayer dollars go to Michigan residents.
“During these difficult economic times, the state needs to promote job growth opportunities,” said Richardville, R-Monroe. “We must make sure that our first job is to ensure that state tax dollars are helping Michigan workers.”
The “Hire Michigan” legislative package 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.
“With more and more movies being filmed in Michigan, state residents should be hired for the studio construction jobs,” Richardville said.
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 require the state to buy 10 percent of its purchases from a Michigan business or state product;
- Allowing job providers to include individuals who will become state residents;
- Adding the state film credit; and
- Eliminating penalties for businesses located on the state border.
The measure has been sent to the state House for further consideration.
Posted: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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