Buy American - the clear path to job creation in New York State
In New York State we have an opportunity to create good paying jobs while keeping our tax dollars right here at home. It's quite simple - Buy American. A proposal before the state legislature would establish a preference for the use and purchase of American-made steel and iron products in structural and component parts of public works projects. Currently, and shamefully, state government agencies and authorities are not required to consider spending tax dollars on American-made products. Revelations that steel made in China was used on reconstruction for both the Bayonne Bridge and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge resulted in a public outcry for updated and more responsible procurement and contracting methods.We know it can be done. Construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge, partially funded with federal money, is being done with steel purchased from U. S. manufacturers. Turns out, buying American is saving more than $1.5 billion and cutting the construction time by more than two years while creating nearly 8,000 American jobs. It makes no sense for our state government to send our tax dollars overseas where many foreign companies don't adhere to labor or environmental standards required of American and New York manufacturers. The New York State AFL-CIO, representing 2.5 million union members and their families as well as our retirees and their families, supports including a preference for American-made iron and steel components of infrastructure projects in the state budget. This will stimulate manufacturing, create jobs and ensure state taxpayer dollars are used first and foremost for the benefit of New York State's economy. Tell legislative leaders to invest in New York State by including Buy American preferences in the New York State Budget.
