GRANHOLM - Granholm, Delegation Work to Deliver Federal Support for Manufacturing

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm met with Michigan’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. today to develop a consensus federal policy agenda that will positively impact the nation’s manufacturing sector and the working families that depend on it. Granholm said she will take the consensus agenda to other governors around the country and encourage them to push their state delegations as well for action on these issues.

“We are on the edge of an economic storm,” Granholm said. “Not only will we weather it, but we’ll be able to help the manufacturing community grow more competitive for the decades ahead. If there are going to be American-made products in the global marketplace tomorrow, we have to support our American manufacturing community today.”

The delegation agreed they will work together on three critical issues: ensuring there is fair trade for American manufacturers; developing legislation to reduce health care costs for employers; and ensuring any new pension legislation does no harm to the state’s major employers. Granholm laid out a similar agenda in a letter to President Bush last month.

The delegation expressed interest in advancing legislation to better enforce our trade laws, force other countries to end currency manipulation, and enforce and strengthen intellectual property protection. The delegation will draft a letter to the Bush Administration indicating that it will not support any weakening of U.S.-Thailand pickup truck tariff agreements, and urging more aggressive use of tools to end other nations’ non-tariff barriers.   The delegation also agreed today to lead the nation in developing legislation for catastrophic health care pooling and to push for greater federal investment and incentives in health care information technology.

Governor Granholm was among the first governors in the nation to recognize the unique needs and challenges facing the manufacturing sector.   She sounded the clarion call that manufacturing matters, noting that no other sector has as deep an impact on Michigan’s economy. Manufacturing jobs pay more and have a greater multiplier effect than those in agriculture, tourism, or services.

In 2003, the Governor underscored manufacturing’s importance to the state and national economy and held a first-of-its-kind manufacturing summit with 40 key business and labor leaders. In 2004, the Governor followed her manufacturing action plan with an automotive strategy that builds on Michigan’s strength as the epicenter of the U.S. automotive industry.

Earlier this year, Granholm outlined a bold five-point economic plan – including an initiative that would cut taxes on manufacturers and help secure a fund that would spur investment and job creation.

“Employees and companies are making tough choices, and at the state level, we are also making critical changes to support the manufacturing sector,” Granholm added. “It is time for the federal government to stand up for an industry that has helped America become the economic power it is today.”

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