The Michigan House of Representatives today approved a plan to create the Research and Development Tax Credit program. State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom, the Republican vice chair of the House Tax Policy Committee, has been championing the new program and leading the push to finalize it since the beginning of the term.  

“This new program will help us keep good-paying jobs in Michigan and bring in many new opportunities in the career fields of the future,” said VanWoerkom, of Norton Shores. “This forward-thinking plan won’t just strengthen our local economy for today; it will also help create new jobs in our community for years to come.” 

The bill package passed in a strong bipartisan vote Tuesday after a long negotiation on the House floor. House Democrats originally pursued a plan that allowed Gov. Whitmer’s administration to pick certain businesses and industries to benefit and focused only on new jobs. After that plan failed to gain support, Rep. VanWoerkom helped negotiate a better plan that offered local businesses an additional incentive to keep good-paying existing R&D jobs in Michigan and helped every business gain access to the program instead of a handpicked few. 

“We have a lot of different employers in West Michigan who want to put down roots and invest in our community. I want to make sure every one of them can do it,” said VanWoerkom. “I’m glad we were able to work together and find consensus on a plan that is going to help all of us.” 

House Bills 4368 and 5099-5102 will now move to the state Senate for further consideration.