LANSING – State Representative Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield) today was sworn in to his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives during a ceremony at the State Capitol marking the beginning of the 95th Legislature.
"Michigan residents are ready for change to start today," said Gregory, who represents the 35th House District. "It is among my top priorities to create good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced and strengthen our education system for our children. I look forward to the challenging road ahead and I will work tirelessly to ensure that real, positive change happens in Lansing."
After the ceremony, Gregory and his colleagues went to work immediately by introducing the Hire Michigan First plan, which will ensure that Michigan workers get the first chance at jobs created by companies that benefit from state economic development programs or tax breaks. The plan cracks down on companies that hire illegal workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. It also requires those companies to pay back incentives already received and bars them from obtaining future contracts.
"In a time when the whole country is in a recession and unemployment rates are on the rise, lawmakers should be the first to volunteer to take a pay cut," Gregory said. "By cutting lawmakers' pay, we can begin cutting down on state spending and work to resolve the budget crisis that's lingering in our state. I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make Michigan a world powerhouse once more and a leader in the 21st Century economy."