Michigan Must Invest in Research to Boost Economy, Create Jobs

Press Release

Michigan Must Invest In Research to Boost Economy, Create Jobs

The message was clear: Michigan must invest scientific research and new technology to help create jobs and boost the economy. In a teleconference forum today with leading scientists and experts, Congressional candidate Gary Peters and Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) spoke about the critical role of scientific advancement in Michigan's past success - and future growth.

"It was science, research, and engineering that built Michigan's economy, established the foundation for the middle class, and made us the engine that drove America for a century," said Gary Peters, a former businessman with over twenty years of experience in investment management. "As Michigan faces unprecedented challenges today, we must take action now to invest in research and technology to create jobs and get Michigan's economy moving again."

"Unfortunately, Congressman Knollenberg and President Bush are putting oil company tax subsidies ahead of Michigan jobs, and they're blocking investment in new alternative energy solutions that would lower prices and bring new jobs here to Michigan," Peters said.

The panel of scientific experts were united in agreement on the critical role of research in boosting the economy. However, incumbent Republican Congressman Joe Knollenberg has repeatedly voted against increasing research funding for critical fields such as alternative energy.

In 2007, Knollenberg repeatedly voted with President Bush to protect billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies for Big Oil companies instead of investing in alternative and renewable fuel research (HR 6 and HR 2776). Earlier this summer, Knollenberg voted no on a bill (HR 6049) to extend critical tax credits for wind, solar, and renewable energy industries.

Congressman Rush Holt, who holds a PhD in physics and who served as Assistant Director of the Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory joined the call to support Peters. After six years of Republican control under President Bush and the Republican-dominated Congress, Holt said that the new Democratic leadership was already having a positive impact on research funding.

"There has been a real difference for the past two years with Democrats in control of Congress, but it is absolutely critical the we continue to invest in new research," said Holt. "Gary Peters understands how important scientific advancement is to our national economy and to Michigan's economy. In Congress, I know Gary Peters will take action to increase funding for research that will lead to new technologies and new jobs."

Also taking part in the call were a number of prominent experts and researchers from Southeast Michigan who strongly supported Gary Peters' initiative to invest in research as a way to create new jobs. The participants included Stan Ovshinsky, the founder of ECD Ovonics and world-renowned innovator, Dr. Gil Omenn, an leading researcher and professor of biotechnology and public health at the University of Michigan, Katheryn Wrench, the Director of Grants and Sponsored Research at Oakland University, Michael D. Sevilla a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Oakland University, and Kevin J. Murphy, a Professor of Economics at Oakland University.

"Scientific research and investment are not just important, they are essential to create new industries," said Stan Ovshinsky. "When I founded Energy Control Devices in 1960, our purpose was to develop new technologies and create good jobs, and that is still my goal today."

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