Debbie Stabenow: Manufacturing should be part of Obama's jobs address
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, said today that she hopes President Barack Obama remembers the manufacturing sector when he unveils his job creation proposals Thursday night in a nationally televised address to Congress.
“It’s critical that we be looking broadly at ways to put people back to work as quickly as possible,” Stabenow told reporters. “I’d like very much to see him have a component related to manufacturing.”
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan
Stabenow, addressing the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce today at a lunch event at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, spent much of her speech discussing her proposals to boost advanced battery manufacturers and the agricultural industry. She said Michigan would particularly benefit from initiatives to boost those sectors.
The Battery Innovation Act, a $2 billion bill Stabenow proposed in July, would help the U.S. boost its share of advanced battery manufacturing production from 2 percent a few years ago to 40 percent within three years, she said.
The bill would create new grants and funding opportunities for battery research and production, identify domestic supplies of raw lithium and provide loan guarantees for businesses that buy batteries for on-site energy storage.
It comes after Michigan battery makers won $1.3 billion out of a $2 billion pool of grants distributed to battery producers as part of the federal economic stimulus package approved in 2009.
“I’m looking for every opportunity I possibly can to leverage what we have to create jobs,” she said.
The two-term senator is gearing up for a reelection campaign in 2012, when she’s likely to face former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra or charter school executive Clark Durant.
"The way President Obama and Sen. Stabenow approach jobs ... is through tax increases and by the will of the government," Hoekstra said in a recent press release.
"Their approach has failed Michigan workers and the American economy. As Michigan's next U.S. senator, I will work to cut government spending and limit the size of the federal government so Michigan's small businesses are empowered to expand, innovate, and create jobs for generations of Michigan workers."
Stabenow didn’t address the campaign except to say after today's event that she’s “focused on jobs.”
Stabenow, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, also:
--Spelled out several initiatives designed to boost Michigan farmers, including a forthcoming push to encourage the food processing industry.
--Said “something significant has to be done” to address Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the distressed agencies that back most U.S. mortgages. But she stopped short of saying she would support an organized dissolution of Fannie and Freddie.
--Backed Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s campaign to convince the Legislature to authorize the creation of a public-private partnership that would build a second bridge spanning the Detroit River and connect Michigan to Canada. The bridge, called the New International Trade Crossing, has stalled as Republicans in Lansing express skepticism about the bridge’s financial viability.
“I think that’s long overdue,” Stabenow said. “I think it’s important for jobs. I think it’s frankly important for national security to have more than one crossing, more than one bridge. And I support the governor’s call and willing to do whatever we need to do.”
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
Carole
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.
I say stop sending our jobs over seas where items can be made cheaper, with the cost of item remaining the same or even higher, filling the pockets of the owners with more $$$. I believe that funding to help the small farmers should be available, but for some reason it always goes to those individuals who have large corporate farms and really don't need it.
CONCERNED CITIZEN
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
Debbie Stabenow and Barack Obama types don't have a clue.....they all need to go away! Pete Hoekstra, I will definitely be voting for you.
Judy
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
As long as companies are allowed to pay "No Corporate Taxes", (like GE and others) are allowed to send jobs (like the auto companies and others) to other countries, are allowed to pay the top brass bonuses before stock holders (like Bank of America and others) manufacturing jobs will "NEVER" come back to the US let alone Michigan. Let's face it "Both" branches of the US government are working for "Themselves", not for the hard working Americans. I work for a mid-size manufacturing company (for the past 27 years), I have seen the staff cuts (employees with 15, 20, 30 years) so their jobs go to other countries, so the top brass can make more money while the manufacturing group get "No Increases or 1 or 2% at best." The saying "The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Poorer"!!!!
CRichmond
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 10:35 a.m.
That's just silly. Only way to bring the manufacturing jobs back is either to be so much better than overseas plants as to make cost a non-issue, or or impose high enough tariffs to equalize the cost of foreign goods with domestic ones. But squeezing quality to increase profts has long been an American sport -- and we've signed trade and economic treaties that prevent raising tariffs.
Dog Guy
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.
In any case, it was nice of Senator Levin to let her visit us.
Dog Guy
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 3:01 a.m.
Wow! $2,000,000,000.00 of battery pork, with Michigan likely to get more than half! And that on top of the previous $2,000,000,000.00 of battery pork of which Michigan got more than half! Where does she get all that money? Where did all that money go? Buying election to the senate is so much more expensive than buying a house term or two with the Stadium bridges that I don't know if we can afford her any longer.
Stephen Landes
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.
SEN Stabenow is doing what Democrats do -- use their "vast" private business experience to create laws and tax structures to favor the businesses and technologies that they, with their omniscience, deem the wave of the future. Think "The Graduate" and "plastics". What we need government at all levels to do is create the environment that encourages businesses to be formed and grow, innovation to flourish, and profits to be made. What we need is a plan to revise the corporate tax structure to reduce shelters and lower overall rates, reduce and roll-back regulations where they are old fashioned, duplicative, or simply nanny-ish, a realistic energy policy that emphasizes US-based energy production and transitions to new forms of energy that make sense based on physics and economics, a public-pricate partnership for infrastructure that leverages private investment, and an increase the certainty in the work place and markets. With these revisions we will have the technologies and businesses that make the most sense in the market place. Remember: Apple didn't need favorable treatment from the Feds in order to bring their "i" gadgets to market. What they needed was a good idea, great execution, and a free (well, relatively) market place.
joe.blow
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:19 a.m.
Yes, manufacturing is very important. When the Labor secretory brags about her Canadian built cars performance, thinking it was made in the U.S. and Obama drives a Canadian built tour bus, we see quickly why manufacturing is dead in this country. You can't compete against non-Union nations. Guess what, other countries work for quality, not because the teamsters negotiated less car recalls, but because if their cars break down, the company will fire um' all!
John
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
Snyder and Stabenow are doing what polititian are supposed to do... compremise for cooperation. Do you think we might be happy about this?
Mike
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
The government regulates the life out of companys and forces them to compete with countries that do not and wants them to pay substantially higher union wages. Their answer is to force companies to unionize (new NLRB rule coming out), print more money (quantitative easing), and spend "stimulus" to keep their union cronies employed. Less than 10% of the country is unionized yet most of the stimulus has gone to the unions to "create" new jobs. The other 90% of us pay for this pandering. Both Republicans and Democrats are responsible and they'll all leave Congress with their fat, unearned pensions and cadillac benefits. Is it just me or is this insanity?
Diagenes
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
Where has Sen. Stabenow been for the last 11 years? Isn't it her job to remind the President that manufacturing is important to her state? Instead she voted in favor of Obamacare which has increased health care premiums for individuals and employers by 25% over the last two years. She has stood by silently while regulations imposed by the Feds strangle the American economy. Regulations on energy production, banking, fuel economy standards, ect. all contribute to our sluggish economy. Sen. Stabenow and President Obama practice crony capitalism. They only care about industries that will support their vision of how the world should work and contribute to their re-election. The battery innovation act is a perfect example. Give a grant to a company to build batteries so you can force automakers to build electric cars that only a few can afford, and few want to drive. With this crew symbolism is more important than results. Michigan will be better off, if President Obama and Sen. Stabenow join the ranks of the unemployed in January 2013.
veeandroger
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
Mrs. Stabenow is offereing too little and she is once again too late. Where was she in 2003 when Pfizer closed 2400 jobs in Kalamazoo and then again in 2007 when Pfizer closed 2200 jobs in Ann Arbor. These were high paying skilled jobs???? Oh I remember now, she was advocating for direct importation of Prescription Drugs from Ontario into Michigan. What a loser......
Technojunkie
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:07 p.m.
Passing the Fair Tax would be a huge help to manufacturing. No federal tax on exported goods, buyers pay the same tax on imported and domestic goods, far less tax paperwork all around, and the prebate sent to taxpayers monthly protects the poor. Unless you're an accountant, lobbyist, are a corporate socialist that has invested big $$$ into tax avoidance, or are a politician who sells tax loopholes for campaign contributions, what's not to like? Just think, same American tax on a Detroit-made car as an import. Might as well produce in America for the American market, right? Democrats are the party of paper-pushers though so there's zero chance of Obama getting on board. As for helping farmers, maybe not sending SWAT teams after farmers with the audacity to sell raw milk would be a good start?
tdw
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
I love it when a Democrat bails out big corporations it's great and saves the economy.If a Republican does it they are just helping out their rich buddies
G. Orwell
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:29 p.m.
If our politicians really cared about our manufacturing and American workers, they should renegotiate the unfair trade agreements that disadvantage American manufacturing compared to countries like China, India and many other third world nations. Just make it fair. The trade agreements were purposely DESIGNED to offshore our manufacturing. That is why our politicians won't do anything about it. Just as Ross Perot said, "there will be a big sucking sound." Al Gore said, "it will be good for our country." So will carbon taxes paid to him to fight global warming. What a scam artist.
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
Okay I'm good with supporting agriculture for the small farmers and Michigan farms overall. Farming (food) is something we do well here in the US and the rest of the world looks to be heading to an predicament where they will need food. Other than that, I do not support govt monies going into unknown industries that may or may not survive. Tax dollars should not be used to keep floundering businesses afloat. If the Advanced Batter Act needs govt help, then I question its viability. If it shows any promise it will attract private investors since that is what they do, invest in businesses that look to be profitable. I don't suppose Madam Stabenow addressed the issue of unions keeping manufacturing from expanding in Michigan. Until Michigan allows companies to come here as non union employers it just is not going to happen. They will go to Va, NC, and TN like VW did in 2006. At least the unemployed will be able to move down there and get a job. I'd rather have a non union job than be unemployed with a union card in my wallet.
xmo
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
"she hopes President Barack Obama remembers the manufacturing sector when he unveils his job creation proposals" Senator Stabenow, If you want to know, read the speech on job creation that he gave at the same time last year after his vacation on Martha's Vineyard. This is "RECYCLED" speech, don't know if it is organic or not? Next year he will do the same thing.
RTFM
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:53 p.m.
What a joke. With the raid on Gibson, do you think he even cares about jobs?
sbbuilder
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
Forget rebuilding our infrastructure for the time being. We can't pay the bills we already have. Where does she propose to come up with the money to pay for all those jobs? Just print more money? What we need are manufacturing jobs, yes, but ones that produce products that are competitive on a world-wide market so that money will begin to flow back here. Our balance of trade has been way out of whack for years, and simply cannot continue.
nekm1
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
Until the "balance" of the new world order occurs, meaing that China's middle class rises to the level of the fall of the American middle class, this problem will continue to persist. The GREAT balance we will call it. Union wages and arguements for "having it all" with little education, and the feeling we "deserve it" will not solve the long term realities we face as a country. All it is doing is dividing this great nation into two camps. The thugs (my way or the highway union types) and the rest of us - in the middle class - that work for good companies, for good wages, and do our jobs everyday. Keep fighting the companies that take the risks to create paychecks each week, and see how many more leave. Our Senator is no different then many politicians today. She has no position other than the Party. How about some common sense here? Or, we can limit imports to zero, build everything here in the US, with union wages, and learn to live with much less....like every day items made elsewhere that will cost 5 to 10 times as much. And maybe that is the US many of you want? Find the Democrats that want to toughen our trade policies, not throw around the rhetoric that using the Federal Reserve will solve our problems. And be prepared to pay more for everything...a lot more!
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
I like two thirds of your comment. I agree that she, like most politicians just carry the party banner with little outside the box thinking. We can't build many items here though that we import. The US worker demands so much in pay and benefits the cost of a simple item is too high. In the 70s and 80s a huge issue was inflation. Importing goods made with cheap labor solved that. You hit on an excellent point though in re to overseas workers. There is already movement where they are demanding more pay.
Not from around here
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
Gee Rob, must have missed that, neversaw him save anything but his golf handicap. Would you like to explain?
cinnabar7071
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8 p.m.
Rob do have any idea of how many dealerships closed in Michigan? I wouldn't be bragging about anything in the auto industry right now.
Sparty
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
Clearly you are not from around here. President Obama saved the Detroit automakers, which saved their dealerships, suppliers, associated businesses, financing firms, manufacturing plans, etc. Of course, this helped save the steel plants, and a host of other manufacturers as well. What other larger, more important segments of the American manufacturing economy would you suggest he should have saved or done more for ?
Stephen Landes
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
Obama did nothing of the kind. He completely corrupted the bankruptcy process and the laws and decisions relative to the precedence of bond holders in a rush to do something that the normal bankruptcy process would have done on its own. The precedent set will be extremely disruptive to future business creation as it puts into question the priority of bond holders in the chain of debt holders. We likely would have been just as well off with normal bankruptcy proceedings.
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.
I think to say the US auto companies were saved is a little premature. Also lots of dealerships closed as well as suppliers. Whether or not they survive will depend on their product quality and affordability. Ironically the fuel efficiency standards the administration is proposing is going to drive up the costs significantly.
Mike
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
The bond holders were stripped of their rightful claim to part of the backruptcy proceeds and strong armed by the government. Would you ever want to invest in a company as a bondholder knowing the government would come in, swoop up your share of the proceeds, and give it to the unions; that's what happened. Is that fair or right? GM and Chyrsler were both failed entities, the taxpayers bailed them out at great expense (pain to be felt later). I'm all for manyfacturing remaining in this country, but you can't take care of the unions and take it to the very investors that make capital available to the private sector. The private sector can't print money, the US government can and this will fuel inflation and already has (i.e. oil prices paid for with devaluted currency)
nekm1
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
By "saved" you mean destroying banckrupcy laws that have been in place for a century? Do you really think that the Auto companies wouldn't have come out of the bankrupcy courts with new management and money to reconstruct themselves for today's realities? Take a look at how well Saab is doing as a national government controlled company! And who are you to say that companies like Ford, a PRIVATE company, shouldn't have been the survivor and/or the catlilyst for new American car companies! You really think that government run companies are the answer in the long term. Please show me one country where that is true!
Not from around here
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
Giggle Giggle, Sorry Obama is more concerned with his Tech freindly Uber rich frieinds to care about the rank and file of the manufacturing segment. At Least his address on labor day added to a cool breeze.
bedrog
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:34 p.m.
yes...we know you know the phrase 'uber rich'....try some new ones for a bit of variety.