LANSING — State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) is asking his House colleagues to pass Senate Bills 242-244, known as the “Good Jobs” legislation, during tomorrow’s session. The bills allow businesses to capture tax revenue if they create a certain number of well-paying jobs in the community.
“Job creation is key for our success as a state, and in the U.P. especially. Getting our people back to work means folks will be investing in our local communities, our small businesses and our schools,” Dianda said. “Michigan needs capital investments to thrive. Investment in manufacturing gets Michiganders working and building that middle class that we have lost.”
Three of the seven counties that Dianda represents — Baraga, Keweenaw and Ontonagon — are among the top five in unemployment among Michigan’s 83 counties. Local communities and schools struggle without the good-paying jobs that companies would have incentives to offer under the proposed legislation.
“I’m here to tell folks that the U.P. is open for business. We have local communities that can offer attractive opportunities to support new jobs,” Dianda said. “The ‘Good Jobs’ bill package is a step in the right direction to ensure Michigan remains competitive to employers looking to break ground. However, the conversation must continue. We have rural communities that have unique challenges, and I’ll advocate to ensure their concerns are heard.”