Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher urged lawmakers to provide financial support to U.S. automakers before expected action by the U.S. Congress on a federal stimulus package to the industry.

"We strongly urge our congressional leaders to provide financial support to our domestic automakers to ensure the continuation of the automotive industry in the United States," Strickland and Fisher, also the head of Ohio's Department of Development, said in a statement. "The significance of the automotive industry to our economy and to our way of life can't be overstated.  Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and their suppliers employ tens of thousands of people in Ohio alone."

The administration called immediate financial support "critical," saying the failure of these companies would "cascade through parts suppliers, materials industries, and technology companies that support the automotive market, and, in turn, the services industries that are tied to all those businesses."

Strickland and Fisher said they saw an opportunity for investment in alternative energy technologies.

"This financial crisis can be an opportunity if we assist this industry and its vast workforce in developing alternative energy technologies that would dramatically improve both the health of the economy and the health of the planet," the statement said.

They also said that if no action is taken, Ohio would urge the Bush administration to make U.S. Treasury funds available to the industry:

"If our congressional leaders do not take action, the State of Ohio will urge the current administration to make funds available from the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program in order to stabilize the automotive industry.
"It is critical to provide the industry with the funding it needs to bridge this liquidity gap and continue its restructuring efforts to develop strong, diversified, and competitive products for the global marketplace and stable, good-paying jobs for Ohioans."