W.Va. Officials Weigh in on Chrysler, GM Moves

Gov. Joe Manchin has written President Obama, urging him "to carefully consider the consequences of plans by General Motors and Chrysler to terminate franchise agreements with a large number of their dealerships," The Associated Press reports.

"Manchin said the plan would eliminate dozens of long-standing franchised dealers in the state and put hundreds out of work," the article said. "He also said it would impact the state's road fund and result in a loss of payroll and sales taxes."

The governor is the latest of several West Virginia officials to respond to the dealership closings. As AP reported earlier, its U.S. House delegation make a similar plea to Obama's auto task force.

The Charleston Gazette also highlighted that effort by Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-1st; Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd; and Nick Rahall, D-3rd, and the parallel plea from Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

As chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said, Rockefeller wrote that "small businesses need Congress to stand up for them, especially in these trying economic times."

Public Broadcasting also reported on Rockefeller's entreaty.