© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Maine Senate President Wants To Expand 'Buy American' Principal To State Contracts

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, a Democrat from Allagash, wants to require state agencies and institutions to buy American products, such as iron and steel, when contracting for construction or maintenance projects.

“All too often these contracts go to workers and businesses from out of state where there are qualified workers and businesses all across the state that could do the job,” Jackson says.

But the Mills administration testified against the bill, arguing it goes too far and may not be needed with nearly all state contracts going to in-state providers already.

Members of the State and Local Government Committee were also warned the measure could lead to retaliation by other states against Maine companies trying to compete for contracts in those states.

“If you create a preference, a pricing preference for example, for Maine contractors, there are thirty-six other states that will use that against you,” says Peter Mills, executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority.

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.