Lansing's Mayor Heads to Washington D.C. asking for aid

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is headed to Washtington D.C. in an attempt to get at least 10 additional republican senators to vote  for giving the big three a big loan.

 Bernero along with 30 other mayors and local officials left for Washington Monday night.

The group will meet with senators and some of the Obama transition team.

The group is seeking a 25 billion dollar bridge loan, 1 billion dollars for communities impacted by plant closures and unemployment extensions for those who have lost their jobs

"The auto industry is a victim of this economy, its a victim we cant afford to fall by the wayside it would be insanity," said Bernero.

Bernero says that foreign car companies have much more support from their governments and that its time to level the playing field.

"Were damn proud of our auto industry and we dont take a back seat to anybody and if our auto industry had had the level of support that those other companies had we would have already crushed the competition," said Bernero.

Local Councilmember and 30 year UAW member Derrick Quinney says saving the auto industry is vital to our economic future because hundreds of other jobs are dependent upon its success.

"For every auto industry job that there is there at least 6 to 10 other jobs that are dependent on that in some form or fashion so I think its important for not only auto workers but also the community as a whole," said Quinney.

Bernero says he will not consider what will happen to Lansing's economy if they do not get through to those in washington saying that failure is not an option.

"We'll camp out if we need to, if we need to stay, if we dont get through were gonna go til we get our message across," said Bernero.