Michigan Committee Vote Fights China’s Forced Labor at State Level
The nearly unanimous, bipartisan vote in favor of HB 5288, sponsored by Bryan Posthumus (R-Cannon Township), is a significant development in the effort to crack down on forced labor in global supply chains and prevent tax dollars from making their way to companies who use modern forms of slavery.
Texas Senate Committee Passes Bill to Protect Victims of Labor, Human Trafficking
Today, the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice unanimously approved a committee substitute to Senate Bill 1278, sending the bill to the Senate floor with recommendation of passage. Sponsored by Senator Parker (R–TX12), SB 1278 would provide an affirmative defense for survivors of human trafficking who commit crimes as a direct result of their victimization.
Posthumus, Rodriguez: Close forced labor loophole in state’s economic development
Whether you love or hate Michigan’s long history of courting companies with the use of tax incentives and subsidies, most people in the state agree that we have reached a new era in economic development. In both scope and tenor, our discussions about when, how and to whom we should and should not give taxpayer dollars in exchange for the promise of jobs is shifting.
So, we’re also asking what ethical responsibilities policymakers have when giving citizens’ money to companies for the purpose of economic development. That’s a good thing, and the potential for tax dollars to end up funding and perpetuating forced labor ought to be part of the discussion.