Bill would require state to buy American-made goods, favor Maine products
A new bill before the Maine Legislature would require state contracts to buy American-made products and give preference to those made in Maine.
Senate President Troy Jackson is the lead sponsor of the Buy American and Build Maine Act.
"There are too many stories of Maine workers and companies losing out on state contracts to lower bids from out-of-state companies. The difference between the two bids is often just pennies,” Jackson said.
One company that could benefit is Auburn Manufacturing, Inc. Its 50 workers make heat and fire-resistant fabrics and insulation products for heating and cooling systems.
"We've sold both inside Maine and outside Maine,” Auburn Manufacturing, Inc CEO Kathie Leonard said."Government buildings, school systems, hospitals."
Five years ago, Leonard complained that Chinese manufacturers were selling a competing product that was unfairly subsidized by their government at less than their fair value.
The International Trade Commission agreed.
"The Chinese government was subsidizing up to 70% of the cost of the material like ours. Okay, there's no way you can make up that sort of difference,” Leonard said.
Westbrook clothing company American Roots, which also uses 100% American materials, supports the bill.
"It is unfair and above all bad economics to not allow Maine businesses the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with multi-national corporations,” American Roots co-owner Ben Waxman said.
The bill has exceptions if American-made products are not available or if their cost is unreasonably high. Thirty-eight states have procurement laws favoring in-state producers.
"Other states are protecting their states. Why isn't Maine protecting its people?" Leonard said.
The Buy American and Build Maine Act will receive its first public hearing on Thursday.