By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-792940.mp3
Dallas, TX – Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck walked the halls of Congress Tuesday, talking to elected officials about the importance of his community's General Motors plant to the North Texas economy.
Arlington says the GM plant and related businesses add $390 million dollars and 4,000 jobs to the area economy each year.
Cluck was among 15 mayors from auto manufacturing communities who traveled to the capitol to plead for a $25 billion loan to keep the industry afloat.
Cluck: "I would like to see a bill passed in an emergency way to spend a very small amount of money -$25 billion dollars- to give to the car makers to get them over this rough spot where they're not selling cars. I believe that will be a bridge loan that will be repaid as it was when Chrysler borrowed money."
Cluck said he had a productive meeting with Republican Congressman Joe Barton from Ennis. He was also attempting to meet with Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn.