LANSING, Mich. - Today Senator Dennis Olshove (D-Warren) voted to approve portions of the Hire Michigan First legislation, a plan that will encourage companies to hire Michigan workers by offering incentives and also prohibit and punish those businesses that would contract with persons not authorized to work in the United States. Senate Democrats have been fighting for this legislation for years with several efforts to move the bills, repeated calls for action, and town hall meetings around the state.

Senator Olshove’s bill, Senate Bill 293, would require the Michigan Strategic Fund, when deciding MI Renaissance Zones, to give preference to the applicant whom agrees in writing to hire only MI residents. Senate Bill 293 included a substitution that would make exceptions for border counties and workers who intend to move to Michigan, but did not include oversight or enforcement to ensure the move took place.

“Today we answered the call of thousands of Michigan workers who are unemployed and trying to support themselves and their families in these difficult economic times.” said Olshove. “However, if we are going to get the job done right, we need to include the provisions that fully ensure our workers are being put first for jobs created by taxpayer money.”

Senate Democrats also fought to include additional measures that would strengthen the bills. They sought to ensure that companies employing Michigan workers pay them a prevailing wage so that they are able to make enough money to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.

Additionally, three bills in the package have yet to see any Senate action:

• Senate Bill 289, a bill that would change the current law requiring vendors who contract with the state to hire not less than 50% of Michigan residents to 100% of Michigan residents

• Senate Bill 288, a bill that would allow Michigan to cancel a contract or stop payment under a contract to a vendor who knowingly hires illegal aliens or who knowingly violates Michigan's Prevailing Wage Law.

• Senate Bill 291, a bill that requires vendors under state contract to report on the number of new jobs created under the contract and the number of Michigan residents hired on that project.

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