Latest News
Plan to Support Auto Industry, Protect Workers to Become Law : Schmidt, Huck strengthen protections in auto dealers' contracts with manufacturers
LANSING – State Representatives Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) and Mike "Huck" Huckleberry
(D-Greenville) today voted for a plan to better protect Michigan auto dealers and workers when an automaker terminates
their contract. The plan, which is set to be signed into law after receiving broad bipartisan support from the
Legislature, is in response to the numerous auto dealerships that were forced out of business and the countless jobs of
Michigan workers that were lost during the bankruptcy restructurings of General Motors and Chrysler. (click for more)
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House Passes Schmidt's Plan to Protect Auto Dealers, Jobs : Lawmaker fosters collaboration on bills between dealers and manufacturers
LANSING – The Michigan House of Representative today passed a plan introduced by State Representative Roy
Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) to strengthen Michigan's auto franchise law in order to better protect auto dealers when an
automaker goes into bankruptcy. The plan passed with broad bipartisan support. "This has been a great demonstration of
how we can really get things done when we all work together," Schmidt said. "This was a true bipartisan and bicameral
effort in every way. (click for more)
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Statement from State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) after his plan to protect auto dealers when an automaker goes into bankruptcy was passed by the House Regulatory Reform Committee today
"We've been weathering some pretty tough economic times in Michigan over the past few years and nowhere is that
more apparent than in our auto industry. In addition to supporting our auto industry as a whole, we must continue to
help our small businesses that rely on a strong auto industry so they can thrive and grow right here in Michigan.
Revisiting the way we forge dealership agreements will do just that and protect the jobs of countless Michigan workers. (click for more)
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Schmidt Praises Credit to Renovate Historic Downtown Building : Vacant building once housed office of President Ford, Grand Rapids Art Museum
LANSING – State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) today applauded the awarding of nearly $4.2 million
in tax credits from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board to aid in the brownfield redevelopment project
of the federal building in downtown Grand Rapids. "This is great news for the city of Grand Rapids," Schmidt said. "This
building has a lot of history and is very deserving of a makeover so it can be a wonderful asset to our residents yet
again. The fact that it will be a LEED-certified, energy efficient building is an added bonus. (click for more)
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Schmidt Backs Plan to Ban Great Lakes Drilling : Lawmaker calls for permanent ban on drilling in Michigan's waters
LANSING – State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) today called for a permanent ban on drilling in
Michigan's Great Lakes. Schmidt warned that without this protection, Michigan's waters could become the next
victim of a tragic oil spill disaster like the one caused by BP that is devastating the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.
"I cannot imagine looking out over Lake Michigan and seeing an oil rig that puts our beautiful coastline and wildlife at
risk of a disastrous oil spill," Schmidt said. (click for more)
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Schmidt Introduces Plan to Protect Auto Dealers, Jobs : Plan strengthens protections for dealers following manufacturer's bankruptcy
LANSING – State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) has introduced a plan to strengthen Michigan's
auto franchise law in order to better protect auto dealers when an automaker goes into bankruptcy. "Our automakers and
dealers have enjoyed great partnerships for decades – one would build a world-class automobile, the other would
help get their products to the people," Schmidt said. "Unfortunately, they also suffered together when our automakers
were restructured. So many dealerships closed their doors, even more workers lost their jobs and it became clear that we
needed better protections for our auto dealers. (click for more)
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