Creating Jobs and Fighting Outsourcing


In this era of outsourcing and downsizing, I am committed to creating jobs in Michigan and working to strengthen our economy. That means standing up to the status quo and the special interests that want to ship our jobs to other states and countries. 

I will work hard to diversify our economy and make Michigan a magnet for high-tech, high-skill jobs in emerging new fields such as alternative fuels, advanced manufacturing and homeland security.

My plan involves:

Offering a tax credit for companies that create jobs in Michigan

  • Companies will qualify when they create new jobs and add to their payroll. Eligible jobs are those that pay above the industry average and provide health care. Employers can receive a credit for a new employee equal to half of the income tax generated by the new employee for one year.
  • This tax credit will benefit all companies that create new good-paying jobs, especially companies moving to Michigan.

Offering a manufacturing jobs tax cut
  • My plan will eliminate the personal property tax for businesses to stimulate investment in manufacturing, Research and Development and small businesses.

Fully funding the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • My plan will fully fund Michigan's job-creation agency, at $112 million.
  • The MEDC was created by former Governor Engler and is the state's main engine of job creation and economic growth; without funding, MEDC cannot effectively attract businesses and investment to Michigan, or help local communities grow their economies.
  • My plan ends the status quo, when special interests and their allies in the Legislature have slashed 72 percent of MEDC funds since 2000.


Corporate Accountability



I'm committed to protecting our working families' hard-earned pensions and 401(k) plans. All too often, we hear about greedy CEOs breaking this promise to our workers by cooking the books and feathering their nests.

This is my plan to protect workers and fight corporate greed:

  • Ban CEOs from giving themselves lavish severance packages during bankruptcy proceedings, while asking workers to take huge cuts in pay and benefits.
  • End tax cuts to companies that violate federal pension laws.
  • Ban Enron-style accounting practices.

I also support a plan that bans state financial incentives and tax breaks to companies that commit fraud, bribery and other financial crimes; that have broken their pension obligations; that plan to ship our jobs to other states and countries; and that jeopardize workers' rights.