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2009 Flu

Rochester Office
1134 7th St NW
Rochester, MN 55901
507-206-0643

Washington Office
1722 Longworth House
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-2472

Mankato Office
227 E Main St #220
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2149

1-877-TIM WALZ

Walz Urges U.S. Department of Transportation to Expedite “Cash for Clunkers” Payments

Calls for speedy delivery of voucher payments to local car dealers under wildly popular “Cash for Clunkers” rebate program

For Immediate Release
August 25, 2009

Contact: Meredith Salsbery
507-388-2149

Mankato, MN — Today, in response to concerns from local auto dealers, Congressman Tim Walz spoke to Robert Rivkin, General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to urge them to speed up delivery of voucher payments to car dealers across the country and in southern Minnesota under the wildly popular “Cash for Clunkers” rebate program. Walz heard concerns from auto dealers that the Cash for Clunkers rebate has been so popular that the U.S. Department of Transportation has been overwhelmed with applications for rebates.

“Southern Minnesota car dealers have stepped up to the plate to participate in this innovative public-private partnership,” said Walz. “Cash for Clunkers has helped jump-start auto sales and put cleaner, more fuel efficient cars on the road. It has helped both ordinary folks and businesses on main street. Now it is up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to respond to the applications submitted by our auto dealers in a fair and timely manner.”

As part of this program, participating dealers are required to cover the costs of the government vouchers until they are reimbursed. As a result, prolonged delays in the reimbursement process can impact dealers’ balance sheets as they budget to replace inventory, meet payroll and fulfill their other financial obligations.