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Senator Barbara Mikulski (D–Md.) announces her automotive stimulus plan
13Nov
This morning, MileOne Automotive’s Saturn of York Road dealership was host to Senator Barbara Mikulski’s (D–Md.) press conference announcing her automotive stimulus plan she will be introducing Monday, November 17th when the senate reconvenes. The “Mikulski Auto Ownership Tax Assistance Amendment” makes the interest payments on car loans and the sales/excise taxes tax-deductible for new car purchases made between November 3, 2008 and December 3,1 2009.
The Senator and the other speakers at the conference believe this stimulus plan will not only put money in consumers’ pockets, but help bring the automotive industry through the current economic situation. The tax incentives will create an increased demand for new vehicles driving increased sales at the dealership level and increased production from the manufacturers. The common denominator for the success of the automotive industry across all automotive verticals is the sale of new cars and trucks and the federal government can help drive this success by passing Senator Mikulski’s amendment therby protecting the jobs and livelihoods of the six million Americans who work in the automotive industry.
Speakers at the conference in addition to Senator Mikulski included Peter Kitzmiller, the president of the Maryland Automotive Dealers Association (MADA); Mel Bayo, 23-year automotive sales veteran and corporate trainer for MileOne Automotive; Darren Petty, president of the Maryland State United Auto Workers (UAW); and Fred Swannen, president of UAW Local 239 in Baltimore. Each speaker represents thousands of Marylanders and countrymen alike, affected by the state of the economy. Darren Petty commented on the fact that while the governement is proposing a bailout for the banks and those on Wall Street, most people affected by the current economic climate don’t know or live near anyone on Wall Street, but nearly all of us know or live near someone in the automotive industry.
Dan O’Neil, salesperson at Saturn of York Road, met Senator Mikulski before the conference started and when she asked him what the biggest problem the automotive industry was facing he quickly responded, “No one is coming into the showroom! We have money to lend and fuel-efficient environmentally friendly cars to sell at great prices, but we can’t get people through the door!” Senator Mikulski with a knowing grin intimated her plan would solve Dan’s dilemma and give the automotive industry the boost it needs now and in the place it most needs it – at the dealerships.
Read MileOne’s press release about the event or watch the entire press conference. We wish Senator Mikulski and her team the best of luck next week as they enlist the help of Republicans and Democrats alike to fight on the senate floor to get the Mikulski Auto Ownership Tax Assistance Amendment passed.