State Rep. Greg Alexander of Carsonville voted last week to end race-based hiring practices within state government, supporting a plan he co-sponsored that instead requires merit-based practices for hiring at-will state employees.
House Bill 4288 prohibits hiring practices based on anything other than the merit of a prospective employee. It requires state agencies to focus on factors such as an applicant’s relevant education or work experience. Any state agency that violates these requirements could face civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation.
The plan was sponsored by Rep. Erin Byrnes, a Democrat from Dearborn and co-sponsored by more than 30 other House Democrats. The legislation passed the Michigan House with a 105-1 vote.
