Bill Text: MI HR0040 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact an oversight mechanism or structure to ensure that the federal stimulus assistance to the domestic automotive industry be used to pay outstanding debts due to the tool, die, and mold industry.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 12-2)
Status: (Passed) 2009-04-02 - Roll Call # 136 Yeas 109 Nays 1 [HR0040 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-HR0040-Introduced.html
Reps. Meltzer, LeBlanc, Lori, Walsh, McMillin, Wayne Schmidt, Horn, Agema, Opsommer, Proos, Meadows, Rick Jones and Genetski offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 40.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact an oversight mechanism or structure to ensure that the federal stimulus assistance to the domestic automotive industry be used to pay outstanding debts due to the tool, die, and mold industry.
Whereas, Our domestic automobile industry has been the focus of much of the economic stimulus activity in Congress. While the health and well-being of the automotive industry is a key to our nation's, and, in particular, Michigan's economic recovery, scant attention has been paid to the tool, die, and mold industry's role in the automotive manufacturing process. Indeed, the production from our local tool, die, and mold shops is one of the first steps in the development of new and redesigned products that ultimately grace the showroom floor. Due to the fact that their contribution to the process takes place up to 24 months or more in advance of motor vehicle production, stimulus for the financially strapped automakers and Tier 1 suppliers may, in turn, take many months to trickle down to the tool, die, and mold shops, and may not reach down to that level at all; and
Whereas, The tool, die, and mold industry plays a key role in the automotive manufacturing industry. Nonetheless, the domestic tooling, machining, and molding industries have been hard hit by the tumultuous forces of foreign competition, rapidly escalating materials costs, tight credit, and pressures from automakers and suppliers to reduce costs. This has resulted in job losses and economic hardships throughout the industry. Indeed, in Michigan, tool, die, and mold employment peaked around 1998, and, by 2003 it had lost over 30,000 jobs. Most of the companies threatened are higher wage, mom and pop operations scattered throughout every corner of the state. Now with the potential of federal stimulus aid, the industry has hopes of revitalization as long as those stimulus dollars flow down past the automakers and the Tier 1 suppliers; and
Whereas, Clearly, as tool, die, and mold companies are struggling to keep their heads above water, it is incumbent on Washington to ensure that economic stimulus funds go where they will pay the greatest dividends. Congress must assure that these stimulus payments flow down past the manufacturers and their first suppliers to where they are owed -- our tool, die, and mold operations in Michigan; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact an oversight mechanism or structure to ensure that the federal stimulus assistance for the domestic automotive industry be used to pay outstanding debts due to the tool, die, and mold industry; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
