Six O'Clock News: AT&T Goes Fusion
AT&T announces they will spend $565 million in the next decade on Ford and other hybrid vehicles to to replace their fleet.
The telecommunications giant said the move was not just an environmental decision, but an effort to help restart the U.S. economy, estimating the spending would create or save 1,000 jobs over the next five years.
"While there are no easy solutions to the challenges facing our nation, this investment is a first step on our part to help boost other industries while at the same time encouraging wider use and production of efficient vehicles and domestic fuel alternatives,” said AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson.
Nice when major corporations step up to help the home team.
Ford's new agreement with the UAW meets the "foreign parity" requirements. GM and Chrysler are expected to use it as a model. Maybe certain US Senators will stay quiet about the union now, but don't bet on it. It didn't stop them before.
The first of the White House Forums on Health Reform will be held at the Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn tomorrow; Governor Granholm and Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin will be moderators. The audience will be professionals from the field, from patients to doctors to insurers and all in-between, and it will be bipartisan. Some tickets will be available to the public according to the DNews, or, you can submit your ideas online at www.HealthReform.gov.
The state is offering free tools to help you quit smoking; patches, gum and personal counselors all part of the package, regardless of your income. Call the Michigan Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to sign up, offer good through April 30th or while supplies last.
Michigan House Democrats passed a 90-day reprieve on foreclosures today - and the vote went 75-33, "mostly along party lines". Republicans didn't like provisions that could "force more foreclosure decisions into courts". Anyone want to guess what happens with this in the Senate?
Mike Cox gets caught up in the Kwame text messages, and runs around to the Detroit media to play CYA. But Mike wasn't being political or anything, no, not Mike. Except that he was, and it shows.
Former MDP spokesperson Liz Kerr makes The Hill. * sniff * They grow up so fast.