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LaHood Defends Administration in Wake of Auto Dealership Franchise Losses
A former Illinois congressman says the government is not to blame for the loss of Chrysler and General Motors dealerships.

Ray LaHood of Peoria, now the U.S. secretary of Transportation, says no politician wants to see dealerships close. It means lost jobs, lost tax revenue in their cities, and in many cases the loss of a community-oriented, family-owned businesses.

He says the government has been trying to sustain the auto industry, not shut it down, investing in it much attention and taxpayers’ dollars.

When LaHood was still in Congress last year, he voted for the auto bailout measure.

LaHood says economists have criticized the domestic manufacturers for having too many dealerships. Forty-two Chrysler franchises are being yanked here next month, along with an unknown number of GM franchises next year.

LaHood will be the speaker at Sunday's Monmouth College commencement ceremony.

(Illinois Radio Network)
05 15 09 by Newsroom
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