Reps. Taub, Ward, Tabor, Casperson, LaJoy, Stakoe, Gaffney, Amos, Stewart, Voorhees, Acciavatti, Palmer, Milosch, Brandenburg, Pastor, Drolet, Ehardt, Garfield, Meyer, Rocca and Stallworth offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 323.

            A resolution to express opposition to the Powernomics Economic Development Plan recently adopted by the Detroit City Council.

            Whereas, In an action that has drawn significant opposition from individuals and groups within the city and across the metropolitan area, the Detroit City Council recently adopted a policy called "A Powernomics Economic Development Plan for Detroit's Under-served Majority."  The crux of the plan centers on the notion that economic development efforts and incentives in Detroit should be based upon race.  The impact of this plan would favor African-American-owned enterprises at the expense of everyone else, including immigrant entrepreneurs and business people of other minority groups; and

            Whereas, While the Powernomics report does include valid strategies, including an emphasis on education, this city-financed plan makes statements that are offensive to many people.  According to newspaper reports, the plan advances the belief that immigrants from Mexico, Asia, and the Middle East are stealing resources, jobs, and opportunities from the African-American community.  The plan also reportedly warns city leaders to be wary of the intentions of people of other communities; and

            Whereas, Apart from obvious questions of the legality of the ideas and proposals advanced by the Powernomics Economic Development Plan for Detroit, this report and strategy represent thinking that can only impede the growth of the city's economic and human resources.  The insidious racism that has harmed our country and so many people over the years will only be perpetuated in a new way with this race-based economic development plan; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express opposition to the Powernomics Economic Development Plan recently adopted by the Detroit City Council; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Detroit City Council.