Adam Ford
F L I N T O I D
|
http://www.mlive.com/columns/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1207233637137920.xml&coll=2
With all the attention given to the global outsourcing of jobs in places like China and India, who realized Michigan's bigger threat comes from nearby Indiana?
The Hoosier State has ramped up the competition in two significant ways. One, that state's officials have not disguised their desire to poach companies from Michigan (and also Illinois). They've targeted businesses with mailings, plus thrown in billboards and radio advertisements that make the case for their state.
That effort is funded privately, but the second part of the plan involves taxpayer dollars. Like many states, Indiana is setting aside tens of millions of dollars that can be paid to businesses that relocate. The cash is designed to give Indiana an edge that Michigan lacks.
This intense competition pits state against neighboring state, and leads government to spend considerable manpower that could be better used elsewhere.
Indiana and Michigan (and Ohio and Illinois) instead ought to be regional allies. All rely on manufacturing jobs that are threatened - constantly - with being moved to Mexico and Canada, or India and China.
Any federal attempts to block states from nabbing companies would violate a basic principle of the U.S. Constitution. The sensible reaction for Michigan's lawmakers and economic leaders is to make this state more attractive for companies. That can start with tweaking the rules of the game. The state Senate, for example, last week approved bills that would expand the scope of state tax credits that go to Michigan companies that expand. Sen. Cameron Brown, too, is pushing a bill that would offer tax help to commercial and distribution warehouses, several of which sit near the border.
There will have to be much more than that. The Legislature should look at setting aside money that companies can receive directly, just as they can if they move to Indiana.
The more our state's leaders can improve the business climate, the better the odds they can persuade companies not to leave. In a global economy, that always should be a priority. And if it's not, Indiana will make sure Michigan pays the price.
The Jackson Citizen Patriot |
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Register
Profile
FlintTalk.com Forum Index
> Political Talk
