LANSING – Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) has been endorsed for state governor by the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. Building trades union members and their families are urged to vote for Dillon in the state Democratic primary, Tuesday, Aug.3.

“Andy Dillon has supported the building trades from Day One,” said Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council President Patrick “Shorty” Gleason. “He supports us on the new powerhouses, the new Detroit River crossing, and the need to rebuild infrastructure around the state. There is no other candidate for governor, Democrat or Republican, who shares our vision for creating good construction jobs in this state. That’s why we endorsed him.”

Dillon is the only candidate for governor supporting the Detroit River International Crossing, a new bridge that would be built downriver from the existing Ambassador Bridge. As House speaker, he worked hand in hand with the building trades to move legislation allowing construction of new power plants through the state legislature.

He has fought for other job creation and economic growth opportunities such as the state’s first renewable energy standard to spur clean energy jobs and the 21st Century Jobs Fund to provide capital to innovative start-up companies. Dillon also supports “Hire Michigan First” legislation, which would steer state tax breaks to companies that hire Michigan workers.

In Dillon’s five years in the state House, he has a 90 percent voting record with the Michigan AFL-CIO.

“Andy has stood shoulder to shoulder with Michigan workers as we’ve fought to bring more jobs to this state and make sure new jobs go to the men and women who live right here,” said Patrick Devlin, Secretary-Treasurer of the MBCTC. “He’s a leader who has the right plan for a better economy and the ability to make it happen.”

Dillon’s plan includes initiatives to diversify and expand the state’s job base by promoting advanced manufacturing, increasing agricultural opportunities and better promotion of Michigan’s tourist spots.

“Generating the jobs of the 21^st century, diversifying our manufacturing base and making it easier for businesses to locate in Michigan are crucial to our state’s recovery,” Dillon said to a crowd at Riverbank Park in Flint on July 6. “We need to capitalize on the unique strengths that Michigan offers to a wide range of employers.”

Coupled with those efforts, Dillon plans to increase efficiency by creating a one-stop shop for business licensing and approval, making it easier for companies to do business in Michigan.

Dillon has butted heads with the Granholm Administration on several issues, including the support for construction of new baseload power plants.

“I feel betrayed,” he told a rally of building trades workers last October. “We agreed to change the rules, with bipartisan support. Then the bureaucrats stepped in” and halted the plants’ permit applications. “Keep the heat on them,” Dillon urged.

Born and raised in Redford, Dillon attended the University of Notre Dame where he earned his accounting and law degrees. Upon graduation, he built a successful law practice with an expertise in business law and became an advisor to troubled businesses seeking turn-around advice. He soon became vice-president of GE Capital where he further advanced his reputation as an expert in saving struggling companies, and became president of Detroit Steel Company.

Dillon is serving his third term in the Michigan House of Representatives and his second term as Speaker of the House.