Wisconsin state Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Milton, was circulating a proposal in January 2015 that would require the state to buy USA-made materials for its infrastructure projects, the Janesville Gazette reported on January 14, 2015.
What the proposal would do
The proposal would build on an existing Wisconsin law that bars the state from spending tax dollars on services performed overseas. Jorgensen had introduced a similar bill two years earlier, but it never made it out of committee.
Co-authors included Rep. Rob Kahl, D-Monona, Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, and Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point.
Why Jorgensen says it matters
Jorgensen’s office pointed to California’s choice of a Chinese manufacturer for parts of the new San Francisco Bay Bridge, and to bridge parts in Alaska and New York that came from China.
“Choosing Chinese products for infrastructure improvements may be cheaper in the short term, but make no mistake, it will cost us,” Jorgensen said.
Weeks later, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a package of Buy American bills for public contracts (our coverage).
Source & credit
Source: Janesville Gazette: “Jorgensen proposes made in America rules”, January 14, 2015.