As Congress Debates Loans, Peters Meets with Former Auto Workers

Press Release

As Congress Debates Loans, Peters Meets with Former Auto Workers

With Congress and the White House debating low-cost loans for the auto industry, Congressional candidate Gary Peters met today with local auto industry workers whose jobs were cut as a result of the failed economic policies of President Bush and Congressman Knollenberg.

"The auto industry has formed the backbone of Michigan's economy over the past century, but in the past eight years, the failed policies of President Bush and Congressman Knollenberg have undermined our way of life here in Oakland County," said Gary Peters, a fifth-generation Oakland County native. "The impact of a lost job is felt at the family dinner table and at the local businesses that depend on our auto industry."

Gary Peters meets with auto workers who lost jobs as a result of rising gas prices.This morning at Callahan's Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Auburn Hills, Gary Peters spoke with former GM workers Tom Drinnon and Al White, whose jobs at the General Motors Pontiac Truck Assembly Plant were cut this summer after skyrocketing gas prices forced deep cutbacks by the already-struggling Big Three automakers. Peters also spoke with restaurant owner Jim Dieters, who saw a decline in his business following this summer's cuts.

Tom Drinnon, who worked for over 30 years at the GM Truck Assembly Plant in Pontiac, said: "There were 500 or 600 younger guys who still have jobs because we left. They were working as temps, but now they have permanent positions because some of the guys who had been there longer took the buyout."

Al White, who also worked at the same GM plant prior to taking early retirement this year, said: "I was second-generation GM. My father worked there, and I was lucky to get a job there. You can hear the frustration, and with the amount of money that you have to spend now for food, groceries and gas, I see a big change coming. We need a change."

On Monday, the price of oil made the biggest one-day jump in history, rising to $130/barrel before falling back to $120/barrel.

"Congressman Knollenberg and the special interests in Washington have worked to protect taxpayer-funded subsidies for the oil industry and to block investment in alternative energy technologies that would reduce fuel prices," said Gary Peters. "It is essential that Congress and the President work together to provide low-cost loans to help the auto industry respond to record high gas prices so that more Michigan workers don't lose their jobs."

Earlier this month, Gary Peters sent a letter to President Bush and Congressional leaders urging them to include support for the auto industry in the upcoming Continuing Resolution.

While Gary Peters has made investment in next generation, alternative energy technologies a centerpiece of his plan to rebuild Michigan's economy, incumbent Congressman Joe Knollenberg has long supported tax breaks for oil companies instead of promoting alternative energy.

On May 21st, 2008 Knollenberg voted against extending critical tax incentives for alternative energy (HR 6049), and on August 4th, 2007, Knollenberg voted to protect tax subsidies for the oil industry instead of using those resources to help states like Michigan invest in energy conservation - which would help bring down the price of gasoline (HR 2776).

To date, Knollenberg has taken over $66,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industries, according to the independent campaign finance research website OpenSecrets.org. Gary Peters is committed to putting Michigan jobs and industries first, and he refuses to accept campaign contributions from Big Oil interests.

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