State Rep. Matthew Bierlein, of Vassar, has unveiled bipartisan legislation that will help fill jobs, provide opportunities and grow Michigan’s economy.

House Bills 5118-19 establish a state-level Work Opportunity Tax Credit which gives job providers greater flexibility to hire individuals who consistently face significant barriers to establishing livelihoods, including disabled veterans.

“There is a need to both fill existing jobs and create new ones to grow our state and local economies,” Bierlein said. “While this tax credit has been successful at the federal level in helping to defray recruiting and training costs for employers, adding it at the state level will provide an additional layer for prosperity. This would be a win-win for Michigan workers and job providers.”

According to a recent workforce study conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation faces a severe workforce shortage, notably in the service sectors. Increasing workforce participation rates is one lever to help ease these shortages that communities and local businesses are experiencing. According to the same study, Michigan has 85 available workers for every 100 open jobs. In addition, Michigan’s 61.3% Labor Force Participation Rate is the lowest in the Midwest.

Bierlein noted that because the federal credit is already jointly administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the IRS, there will be very little added state administrative cost or burden in adding a matching state credit for eligible individuals entering or reentering the workforce.

HBs 5118-19 will soon be formally read into the record.