State Rep. David Rutledge, D-Superior Township, today announced his intention to introduce the Hire Michigan First plan, a job-creation package that would put Michigan residents back to work by making sure they're first in line for jobs their tax dollars create.

"Hire Michigan First is about standing up for our working families as we struggle through these tough economic times," Rutledge, a sponsor of the plan, said in a statement. "As many Michigan residents continue to face the daunting task of finding a job in a depressed economy, it is vital that their tax dollars are spent to create jobs for our state's own talented workforce."

David Rutledge

House Democrats have passed the Hire Michigan First plan multiple times in past legislative sessions, but key provisions were gutted by the Senate. Rutledge said he's calling for the state's new crop of leaders to back up their bipartisan talk with action.

The 12-bill package to be introduced Tuesday is being sponsored by a dozen House Democrats. 

• Click here to download a fact sheet, including bill summaries and a list of sponsors.

Hire Michigan First would help make sure state economic development incentives and contracts are used to hire Michigan workers, as opposed to illegal immigrants or workers from other states. Michigan is expected to spend nearly $3 billion this year on tax incentives for businesses, but under current law, the state can't determine how many jobs they create or whether those jobs are going to Michigan workers, Rutledge said.

Highlights of the plan include:

• Giving companies that hire Michigan workers priority in the awarding of state tax incentives and other economic development tools.
• Creating transparency and accountability by requiring companies accepting incentives to report who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are put first.
• Cracking down on companies that hire undocumented workers by creating penalties that can include requiring them to pay back their tax incentives and barring them from future state contracts.

Rutledge represents the state House's 54th District, which includes the city of Ypsilanti and Augusta, Salem, Superior and Ypsilanti townships in Washtenaw County.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.