From the Dairy State: 2020 “Buy American” Legislative Package Introduced

EDITOR'S NOTE: We received this from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and thought it might be of interest to our readers. State Rep. Jeff Donohue, D-Louisville, sponsors “Kentucky Buy American Act” every session, but it doesn’t even get a hearing in this Republican majority. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/20rs/HB114.html

Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature are kicking off 2020 with a package of bills to support American workers and American-made products by updating our state procurement processes to support buying local, made in the USA goods when possible. The 2020 "Buy American" legislation package is a commonsense set of bills that will prioritize made in the USA goods in our state and local communities’ procurement processes. This will encourage economic growth, boost American manufacturing, and support America’s workers and middle class.

Introduced by Representative Tip McGuire (D-64) in the Assembly, and Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-32) and Senator Patty Schachtner (D-10) in the Senate, the 2020 “Buy American” Legislative package will update state law to ensure our state’s procurement processes support American-made in the USA goods and supplies. LRB 3753 and LRB 3779 will ensure Wisconsin taxpayer dollars are used to buy American-made materials from American businesses when state and local governments are purchasing goods and supplies.

Union members from around the state who make a great array of products right here in Wisconsin have spoken out in favor of the 2020 Buy American legislative package.

Thank you to Representative Tip McGuire for introducing a “Buy American” bill package that will help protect American manufacturing and the American middle class. As a shop chair and a worker in a manufacturing environment, I know firsthand that we make great products in Wisconsin and in the USA that can go toe-to-toe with any foreign product. Our taxpayer dollars should go towards buying American-made goods and services whenever and wherever possible. - Hunter Scott, Vice President of IAMAW Local Lodge 66

It’s not right our state’s procurement laws implicitly favor foreign-made goods. That hurts Wisconsin’s and America’s middle class. When our state opts for cheap goods, made in other countries – whether it be vehicles for the State Patrol, lab equipment for UW campuses, or steel used in construction projects – over American-made goods, the state literally chips away at our American middle class and manufacturing base with each purchase. I will be watching to see which politicians are willing to stand up and vote to Buy American. - Jennifer Grabczyk, UAW Local 722 President, Hudson, Wisconsin

The best way to grow our middle class is to create a demand for the products we make. Our local governments should be purchasing American-made products whenever possible. It helps create and keep jobs in our state, builds strong communities, and ensures we have the best, high-quality, durable, made in the USA products. - Michael MacDonald, Financial Secretary of USW 2-144, Midwest Paper in Combined Locks

When taxpayer dollars are invested back into our local economy, wages are spent on main streets across the country. Our government should buy American. We make so many great products in Wisconsin and the USA. I want Wisconsin to use our tax dollars to buy American-made products as much as possible. - Lee Hanson, Treasurer of USW 2-469, Freedom, Wisconsin

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President

Dennis Delie, Secretary-Treasurer