By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-931828.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Governor Granholm says taxpayer support is now a permanent part of manufacturing in the United States and Michigan. As we hear from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta, she says that's a new reality of global competition.
AUDIO:
Governor Granholm says the federal automotive bailout is starting to pay off - and proof of that is General Motors' plans to go head to head against Mercedes and BMW with a new Lansing-built luxury compact car.
"It's not that you want go in bailing out everybody," she explains.
The governor says state and local governments - but especially Washington - must continue to offer help such as tax breaks and research grants if the U.S. is going to compete with China, Korea and other nations that invest directly in their manufacturing sectors.
"The United States has to make a commitment to the advanced technologies that will keep these companies successful in a global economy," she adds.
The governor says political candidates who don't support that would be responsible for shipping U.S. manufacturing jobs overseas.