Bill to reward hiring of Michigan workers

[GRDadof3]

There's a proposed bill in the State House that would reward tax credits to expanding businesses based on how many people they plan to hire from Michigan, verses those who need to bring in outside-Michigan help.

http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/inde....xml&coll=6

Anyone else think this is wrong-headed? Sure, it gives Michiganians who might be out of work warm-fuzzies, but it gives a cold shoulder to potential businesses moving into Michigan in my opinion. Especially for companies looking to build or expand in Michigan who needs skill-sets that are not readily available here (mainly non-manufacturing). In fact, aren't those the kinds of businesses Michigan wants, to get further away from being so manufacturing-reliant?

This is a bad bill, IMO. Anyone agree/disagree?

[gvsusean]

I agree if companies cant find the talent in michigan but want to stay in michigan they shouldn't be punished,... their hearts are in the right place just not their brains!

[grmetro]

I think this is somehow a violation of the Privileges and Immunities Clause in that States may not discriminate against out-of-state citizens with respect to employment with respect to commercial activities, employment, or dealings in property.

[Nitro]

Especially for companies looking to build or expand in Michigan who needs skill-sets that are not readily available here (mainly non-manufacturing). In fact, aren't those the kinds of businesses Michigan wants, to get further away from being so manufacturing-reliant?

[jbr12]

Isn't it kind of similar to what the City of Detroit is doing for any new construction project? There are some requirements that atleast 50% of the work force or budget or something of any construction project in Detroit be from Detroit based companies / workers... or something like that

I know in the Virgin Islands, they have a law that requires the majority of the workers for any construction project be virgin island locals. To be considered local, you must live there for x period of time. For a project I was working on, the developer actually paid for a number of workers to live on the island for that period of time before beginning construction to keep from using the local work force (very unskilled labor)

My point of all of this was to point out that in St Thomas, it drove a lot of developers away and resulted in some poorly constructed projects because the workers just weren't skilled enough and demanded a hirer rate because they knew developers HAD to hire them

[snoogit]

wouldn't this only be in effect for 30 days?

I mean, after 30 days (provided they were already american citizens) they would receive full state citizenship. I am thinking that this bill could be more aimed at companies who HQ in michigan, but decide to put labor plants (like call centers) elsewhere.

[Weallneedhistory]

I think it needs to be reworked a little bit. Yes, for companies needing people with skills which are not found in the general population, this is a terrible idea. But then I look at some of the big, local construction companies. I see no proof that Indiana, Ohio, or Mexico will have more skilled heavy equipment operators, pavers, or roofers than Michigan. And if a company moves here to Michigan, and they take employees with them, those employees will most likely live in Michigan.

Obviously I'm looking at smaller companies here. I don't see Fortune 500 companies having 100% employees from state X. And I agree, this idea would be bad for places like health hill - again, highly skilled specialists. But with so many people out of work around here, I think it would also benefit people.