For Immediate Release: Sen. Jackson Introduces Bills to Promote American-Made Products and Support Maine Loggers

AUGUSTA—Senator Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) presented two bills today in the Maine Legislature to support workers. One promotes American manufacturing and the other supports Maine loggers.

LD 890, An Act to Buy American-made Products, would direct the State of Maine to buy American products at every realistic opportunity.

“With American manufacturing still fighting to come back, one of the greatest things we can do to help is make sure that when government money is spent it goes back into that sector and our economy,” said Senator Jackson.

At today’s public hearing in the Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development Committee, the bill received support from a broad coalition of workers, businesses, and labor unions.

The second bill, LD 491, An Act Regarding Timber Harvesting on Land Managed by the Division of Parks and Public Lands, would block the state from contracting for timber harvesting on land under its management if the contractor employs foreign workers for logging.

“The primary reason for this bill is to promote the hiring of American loggers who for years now have been underemployed as a result of logging contractors unethically hiring Canadian workers instead,” said Senator Jackson, who is himself a logger. “There are far too many skilled Maine loggers who are being under-utilized and mistreated. This cannot be allowed to stand any longer.”

Senator Jackson’s bill is similar to another bill of his that passed during the previous Maine Legislative Session but was vetoed by Governor LePage. He is hopeful that it will gain enough support this time around to overcome a gubernatorial veto.

“People who work for a living deserve action and respect from lawmakers,” said Senator Jackson. “Today is the day working people and their families stop being a talking point and start being a focal point.”

The work session for these bills will be Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m.

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