Lansing, MI — The American Economic Liberties Project applauded Michigan lawmakers today for introducing a sweeping, bipartisan package to reform the state’s corporate subsidy programs and strengthen transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. The Economic Development Accountability and Transparency Package, an eight-bill package, ensures that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly, that companies deliver on the jobs they promise, and that Michigan takes a leadership role in ending the wasteful subsidy arms race among states.

“Michigan taxpayers deserve a fair deal,” said Pat Garofalo, Director of State and Local Policy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “For too long, corporations have collected massive public subsidies without delivering results, while small businesses and workers foot the bill. These reforms bring sunlight and oversight back to economic development. They ensure that Michigan’s future growth will be based on innovation and customer service, not bribes and lobbying.”

The package includes bills to increase public access to deals before they’re approved, require timely reporting when companies fail to meet job goals, and ensure that incentive payments are reduced proportionally when promised jobs are not created. It also introduces landmark interstate compact legislation that positions Michigan as a leader in ending costly subsidy battles between states.

“This package represents a common-sense, bipartisan step toward building a stronger, more accountable economy,” Garofalo added. “Michigan can be a model for the nation, and a bulwark in the midwest, by replacing secrecy and special favors with transparency and competition.”

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.

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The American Economic Liberties Project works to ensure America’s system of commerce is structured to advance, rather than undermine, economic liberty, fair commerce, and a secure, inclusive democracy. Economic Liberties believes true economic liberty means entrepreneurs and businesses large and small succeed on the merits of their ideas and hard work; commerce empowers consumers, workers, farmers, and engineers instead of subjecting them to discrimination and abuse from financiers and monopolists; foreign trade arrangements support domestic security and democracy; and wealth is broadly distributed to support equitable political power.