janesvillegm.jpg The Governor is shocked and upset by plans to close the General Motors plant in Janesville.

Governor Jim Doyle met with union members Tuesday afternoon, where he criticized the decision from GM to close the Janesville plant by 2010. Governor says those working the lines at the plant have done their job and did everything right, and the decision to shut everything down is just a kick in the gut after all of that work.

The Janesville plant makes SUVs, which have seen sales drop dramatically as fuel prices have increased. Doyle says the company should have adapted to the changing market, and taken steps to keep the plant open. He says GM should have opened new lines with vehicles that could survive under higher fuel costs. He criticized officials for not planning ahead.

Doyle says workers like those at the Janesville GM plant are the “heart and soul” of Wisconsin. He pledged that the state will do all that it can to help them prepare for when and if the plant ends production.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:46)

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