FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2020
Governor Whitmer, DeWine urge President Trump, Congress to support auto industry, protect jobs
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joins Michigan in request
LANSING, MICH. – Today, Governors Gretchen Whitmer and Mike DeWine (R-OH) called on President Trump and Congress to ensure the automotive industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports are able to weather the rapid economic deceleration brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
“As we work through this crisis as a nation, we must do what's right to support our auto workers, who are the backbone of America's middle class,” said Governor Whitmer. “We need swift action from the president and congress to confront these challenges and avoid devastating job losses. Our dedication to working families and businesses must transcend partisanship. That’s why we made this request together today.”
Automakers, suppliers, dealers, and others in the production chain support hundreds of thousands of jobs and contribute billions to the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the vitality of this crucial industry and jeopardizes the livelihoods of the families it supports.
Federal actions to address liquidity challenges are crucial to ensure this sector can restore production as quickly as possible and preserve the strong middle class jobs the manufacturers, their suppliers, and distribution networks provide to the people of our states.
“To mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, we need leaders from both sides of the aisle, from local government to federal, to come together and do what’s best for our workers, our businesses, and our economy,” Governor Whitmer added. “Hundreds of thousands of families are depending on smart leadership. My fellow leaders and I are committed to doing whatever is necessary to see our states through this crisis, and we’re hopeful that the president does the same.”
Federal recommendations include:
To read the request in full, click the link below.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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