State Senate wants to extend $844 million program; bill now heads to the Michigan State House
The state senate overwhelmingly passed a bill extending the life of an $844.5 million economic development program despite the legislators not knowing how well the program was performing because of a lack of transparency.
Senate Bill 269 would extend funding for the 21st Century Jobs Fund an additional four years; it was supposed to sunset in 2015. It passed the senate by a 33-4 vote Oct. 31. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. The 21st Century Jobs Fund was created using money from a tobacco company lawsuit settlement.
“It’s not possible to get a clear picture of how well the 21st Century Jobs Fund is performing because the state doesn’t report on the results on many of their projects,” said James Hohman, a fiscal policy analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s 2012 report stated the 21stCentury Jobs Fund’s Competitive Edge Technology Grants program gave out $137 million in grants and loans and created 999.19 full-time jobs.
But the information about the 21st Century Job Fund’s performance is not clear.
For example, that 2012 MEDC report states that the company IA Inc./Three Fold Sensors reported negative 3.84 jobs.
Hohman questioned how a company could generate negative 3.84 jobs and wondered whether legislators know what taxpayers are receiving for their money that is invested in this program.
Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said he supports more transparency on how 21st Century Jobs Fund money is spent. He voted “yes” on the bill to provide more money to the fund.
“I think the feeling that if we don’t have some sort of mechanism in place to attract jobs in Michigan, then Indiana and Ohio and surrounding states will eat our lunch,” Sen. Jones said.
But Hohman said these incentive programs are better at producing press releases than actual jobs.
The 21st Century Jobs Fund has been roundly criticized for inaccurate reporting, repeated failings of past companies subsidized, and the idea that bureaucrats are better at spending money through centralized planning than the private market/sector.
Hey Gov. Snyder,…repeal the prevailing wage law,…and shut down this program,…and POOOOOOF,….$1,2 Billion Dollars for Michigan roads and bridges!!!
Commentary on this bill; http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19327