State Rep. Greg Alexander this week voted 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.

“As elected state officials, one of our most important responsibilities is delivering people across our state with the best return possible for their tax dollars,” said Alexander, of Carsonville. “That means getting rid of radical, left-wing hiring policies and pursuing the best candidates regardless of their gender, race or sexual orientation. When people are calling about the status of unemployment payments they need to help them stay on their feet between jobs or they’re voicing a concern about an issue that’s impacting their community, they want qualified people answering those questions or getting them a solution. Merit-based practices help ensure that will be the case. This is the right way forward for our state.”

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 (D-Dearborn) and co-sponsored by more than 30 other House Democrats. The legislation passed the House with a 105-1 vote.

“I am thankful House Democrats joined us in acknowledging that state employees should be hired on the skills and experience they possess over anything else,” Alexander said. “I look forward to additional common ground we can find that provides people in our state with common sense governing.”