LANSING – Michigan’s new economic development incentives, mostly designed to help Michigan better compete with other states for new electric vehicle assembly and battery plans, remind me of a hilarious scene in the 1996 hit movie, “Jerry McGuire.”

McGuire, a sports agent played by Tom Cruise, is desperate to keep pro football client Rod Tidwell, portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr., from bolting to another agent. Before he signs a contract, Tidwell makes McGuire repeatedly shout into the phone, “Show me the money!”

It looks like automakers will be demanding that state and local governments show them billions of taxpayer dollars as they build battery plants and retool vehicle assembly plants in a historic transition to electric cars and trucks.

Whether these public investments will ultimately pay off in a net increase in Michigan auto jobs is debatable.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Legislature overwhelmingly approved $1 billion in incentives to lure auto and other business investments to Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the legislation.

To read more of Rick Hagland’s column, click on Michigan Advance