January 06, 2006
January 6, 2006
Says Bush Administration Needs to Take Action on Behalf of Manufacturers
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said words alone are not enough from the Bush administration and called on the President to back up his rhetoric with bold steps to help America’s manufacturers. The Governor made her comments following the President’s speech in Chicago in which he touted the steps his administration is taking to spur economic growth.
“For five years, the Bush administration has facilitated the transfer of American manufacturing jobs overseas in an increasingly competitive global economy,” Granholm said today. “Today’s statement from the President, that he will help level the playing field for manufacturers, must be met with aggressive, bold, and swift action to make sure other countries play by the rules and are held accountable if they don’t.”
Granholm said the Bush administration’s actions must include enforcing American trade laws, compelling other countries to end currency manipulation, and strengthening intellectual property protections; relieving American manufacturers of the uncompetitive burden of high health care costs by creating a catastrophic insurance pool/reinsurance model and making health care information technology a priority; and ensuring that pension promises made to workers are kept by reducing administrative burdens on employers and treating our manufacturing sector fairly.
Granholm said today’s comments by the President were particularly ironic given the latest jobs report that shows the nation is not creating as many jobs as originally hoped, and as workers in Michigan and across the nation brace for the consequences of significant restructuring by American auto manufacturers and suppliers.
The Governor noted the Delphi bankruptcy filing, job cuts at GM and Ford, and IBM’s decision today to freeze pension coverage are reminders why workers and retirees are growing more concerned about their economic futures.
“No sector today is more at risk than the manufacturing sector,” Granholm said. “While touting our nation’s economic strength, the Bush Administration has failed to take steps to help manufacturers as more companies downsize, close their doors and move jobs overseas.”
Last year, Granholm asked President Bush to meet with America’s automotive sector business and labor leaders to implement federal policies that will save good-paying American jobs. To date, the White House has not responded to her request.
“Our auto companies are not looking for a bailout,” Granholm said. “They have simply asked for federal help to lower health care and pension costs, stop unfair trade practices by other countries, and invest in technologies that promote fuel efficiency. Mr. President, our manufacturers deserve that help, and so do millions of manufacturing workers and retirees.”
