State Rep. Tom Kunse released a statement today regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s failure to develop quality economic development strategies. Democrat leadership also repealed right-to-work protections, emboldened aggressive anti-business union tactics, and enacted energy mandates that threaten Michigan industry.

“No business owner decides to relocate to a state whose focus is on business-killing green energy and lining the pockets of union bosses,” Kunse said. “The governor will need every ounce of luck she can get if she plans to pitch Michigan to prospective businesses while so many of our companies are packing up shop to relocate somewhere with lower taxes and less burdensome rules. Instead of bankrupting the middle class to fund more corporate handouts, we should return those tax dollars to hardworking people and businesses that earned them. People need their money back to climb out of this inflationary pit we all face, not more misguided government programs.”

Instead of strategically planning to support Michigan businesses, the governor proposed the heavily criticized High-wage Incentive for Regional Employment (HIRE) plan. Under the HIRE plan, widely considered Good Jobs 2.0, state government would effectively ignore small, Michigan-based businesses in favor of large, coastal corporations.

Originally introduced in 2017, the Good Jobs program is considered as an economic disaster. Despite totaling nearly $200 million in corporate welfare, no verified jobs were created from the program. The Good Jobs 2.0 legislative package does not contain legislative oversight measures, substantive claw-back provisions, or other methods to increase transparency with taxpayer dollars.

House Republicans have called for the state to develop a wholistic economic growth plan. They recognize the importance of uplifting small businesses, many of which have been in the state for generations. Instead of trying to bribe large corporations to move here, Republicans are focused on creating a healthy economic environment that will benefit workers and businesses alike.

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