AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill sponsored by State Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, would require the state of Maine to support American manufacturing and the creation of jobs in Maine when it contracts for public works or services.
The bill, LD 1280, An Act To Establish the Maine Buy American and Build Maine Act,” received a public hearing before the State and Local Government Committee on Monday, April 1.
“I have always believed that if there is work to be done in Maine, it ought to be done by Maine workers,” said Jackson. “Where there is economic activity in our state, our businesses, workers and communities should benefit from it. Year after year, Maine spends hundreds of millions of dollars on procurements and contracts. This work is done with the support of Maine taxpayers — it’s only fair to ensure that it provides some benefits back to them.”
Under current law, there’s little to stop the state from sending taxpayer dollars out of state, or from supporting companies that have outsourced jobs. The bill would require that all public works contracts contain a provision requiring that manufactured goods, including iron and steel, must be manufactured in the United States.
It also requires that if two or more substantially similar bids are submitted for a public works contract, preference must be given to a bid submitted by an in-state contractor. If an in-state contractor submits a higher bid than an out-of-state contractor, the bill would require the state to give the Maine contractor an opportunity to match the low bid.
“This issue hits close to home for me. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when business in Maine is done by people from far away, who take their wages with them when they leave our state,” said Jackson. “If Mainers had these jobs, they could have — and would have — invested their wages in their communities.”
The Maine AFL-CIO also spoke in favor of the proposal at the public hearing. The bill faces further work in the State and Local Government Committee.
