SFNE Government Relations Committee Issues a Call to Action on MAINE LD 1983
The SFNE Government Affairs committee has submitted a letter of support to the Maine legislature for LD 1983,"An Act to Establish the Maine Buy American and Build Maine Act".
On Feb. 27th, 2024, ME Senate Pres. Troy Jackson, in presenting LD 1983 to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Govt., said "...Maine workers and businesses deserve the first opportunity to benefit from economic activity of the state" - as opposed to foreign competition - and that a provision within the legislation defining a ME local labor market includes domestic shops within 75 miles of the ME border, "honoring those workers who live in proximity to the state."
Max Puchtel of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) submitted testimony for LD 1983 today, writing:
"We express our strong support of LD 1983. If passed, the economic benefit to the State of Maine, our 9 member fabricators, and their nearly 400 employees would be not only significant, but a measure of justice as well, as the region is plagued by unfair trade practices across their northern border. We urge you to do the right thing for Maine and for US workers."
SFNE President and President of Capone Iron Corp., Stephen Capone, submitted testimony, stating:
"We are very interested in LD 1983 and have previously promoted similar bills, including SB 195 signed into law in NH, and have two bills currently filed in MA. It's easy to see that by keeping work local, our tax dollars are funding our public construction projects and yielding additional revenues benefitting our economies and communities, not those of foreign nations. This is the Better Deal for Maine, and 20 other states already have Buy American laws."
SFNE Government Affairs committee member Brian Lombardozzi, VP of State and Govt Affairs at the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), also testified to the Joint Standing Committee today:
"I urge you to support LD 1983, the Maine Buy American and Build Maine Act. AAM is a labor-management partnership between the United Steelworkers and some of America’s leading manufacturing companies. Together, we support policies that benefit both American workers and companies doing business here in the United States. Without these sensible changes enacted into law, Maine will continue a path of sending Maine residents’ hard-earned tax dollars to foreign firms when American workers stand to do the work."
SNFE URGERS OUR MEMBERS TO CONTACT THE MAINE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SUPPORT OF LD 1983
Please click here to visit the ME Legislature's Committee Information page and scroll down to find a list of all committee members and staff, along with contact information. We believe reaching out to the committee members specifically to add your voice to supporting LD 1983 will help move this legislation forward.