Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up

Press Release

Folks across south-central Michigan frequently come up to me and express frustration with the status quo in Washington, D.C. and Lansing. I always do my best to listen to their frustrations, offer the services of my office if possible and outline my plan to restore the economic situation in Michigan.

Well, right now, roles are reversed, and I am the frustrated constituent. This week I sent a letter to President Bush expressing my deep frustration with a recent Air Force decision to award a $35 billion contract to build the KC-X Next Generation Air-fueling Tanker to European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. and its partner, Northrop Grumman Corp.

I am extremely disappointed that this important refueling tanker will be built by a French manufacturer instead of an American competitor, especially since there are reasons to believe competition to build the tanker was heavily weighted in favor of a foreign manufacturer. It is estimated that this decision will result in American taxpayer dollars sending at least 19,000 jobs overseas.

This decision will negatively impact the United States for generations and will have direct consequences for south-central Michigan. We have several subcontractors for Boeing, the American manufacturer that competed against the French tanker, in the Seventh District. These subcontractors could have used the new business this deal would have brought.

Times are tough right now, and we need to take practical steps to encourage the creation of good-paying jobs and economic growth in Michigan. Our own government's decisions should not penalize American workers. I believe American tankers should be built by companies in the United States who employ American workers.

I have serious concerns with awarding military contracts to foreign companies, and I am working with my colleagues to reverse the Air Force's decision. We should never make decisions to outsource defending America.

Upcoming Events on Michigan's Economy
This week the Labor Department issued an employment report for February indicating a net loss of 63,000 jobs. In spite of this troubling news, House leadership released a budget plan this week calling for increases in taxes by as much as $683 billion over the next five years. Several of these hikes would hit the middle class and working families, including a tax on marriage, a 50-percent tax increase for people in the lowest tax bracket and $500 per child tax increase.

I believe this is the wrong approach to generate a climate where good-paying jobs can be created. My plan to create good-paying jobs includes making tax relief permanent to prevent a big tax increases, restraining government spending, making health insurance more affordable, investing in alternative energy and training our students and workers to compete in the global economy.

As Michigan continues to lose jobs, I believe Michigan officials need to act. I will continue to fight against tax increases. I will also be hosting a series of upcoming economic events, and I want to hear your ideas on how to create good-paying jobs.

On March 7, I hosted a Small Business Expo to help south-central Michigan business owners learn how to better export their products and sell to the federal government.

I will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Dominican Hall at Siena Heights University, located at 1247 East Siena Heights Drive in Adrian. I will also be hosting a Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. at the Tibbits Opera House, located at 14 South Hanchett Street in Coldwater. Please plan to attend one of these events and share your ideas on Michigan's economy.

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