McCoy Statehouse Report: Creating Local Jobs by Buying American

By Sen. Matt McCoy
Many of Iowa’s roads, bridges, schools, water and sewage systems, and other critical infrastructure need to be repaired. As we do what must be done, Iowa and American companies should have the first crack at state and local government construction contracts. And when it comes to these projects, the steel, iron and other manufactured materials should be made in America, not imported from overseas factories.

Iowa should adopt the same “buy American” laws the federal government has used for more than 80 years –laws that were expanded by President Reagan to cover highway and transit projects. Unfortunately, loopholes and special interest exemptions have weakened “buy American” laws regarding public spending.

Senate File 70, approved by the Economic Growth Committee, would help by requiring contracts for public improvements to use U.S.-produced iron, steel and manufactured goods. The requirement may be waived if it is not in the public interest, the American products are not available in sufficient quantities or the cost of the contract would increase by more than 5 percent.

I don’t believe Iowa tax dollars should be used to reward companies that move jobs to foreign countries, or benefit foreign manufacturers who ignore worker safety and environmental standards. Iowa law should have a clear, reasonable, common-sense preference for American-made products when they are available and cost-competitive.

(Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, represents District 21, which includes portions of West Des Moines, Des Moines and Cumming in northwest Warren County. Contact him through the web site at www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/mccoy.)