LANSING, Mich. (April 15, 2021) — Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren) has issued the following statement in support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Michigan Jobs First Executive Directive 2019-15, which prioritizes and protects Michigan businesses and workers’ wages when companies vie for state projects.
“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to rebuild Michigan’s economy from the bottom-up, and Gov. Whitmer’s Michigan Jobs First will do just that by ensuring businesses who want a public contract are transparent and follow good business practices.
“By requiring disclosure, we are guaranteeing that our hardworking residents will receive a fair day’s wage and health care benefits when they work on a state project to build a better Michigan. This initiative will not only help rebuild an equitable economy post-pandemic, but also make sure that future contractors can’t cheat people out of wages or cheat the state by avoiding taxes.”
The executive directive requires businesses who bid on state projects to complete a vendor questionnaire and to confirm workers are classified as employees, rather than independent contractors, also known as 1099 workers. This information will be utilized by state purchasers as they consider bids and review a business’ practices — including adherence to labor and employment laws and regulations, their environmental track records, and their investment in Michigan’s economically distressed areas — when deciding with whom to contract, and it will help keep good-paying jobs here in Michigan.
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