JACKSON ISSUES STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S ATTENDANCE AT US MANUFACTURING SUMMIT

Conference is less than two months after veto of “Buy American” bill

AUGUSTA – Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash issued the following statement in response to Governor Paul LePage’s announcement that he will attend a conference in Florida to promote American manufacturing.

“Two months ago the governor vetoed my ‘Buy American’ bill and now, ironically, he is at an out of state junket to discuss promoting products Made in the USA.

The governor doesn’t need to go back to Florida to help Maine. There are plenty of opportunities here in Maine to create jobs and work with our home state businesses–and, these are opportunities that will strengthen our state’s economy.

Instead, we have another example of the governor not walking the talk. From vetoing the ‘Buy American’ bill to vetoing bills that will help American loggers and worker wage protection bills, the governor time and again fails to stand up for the working men and women of Maine.

I am hopeful that his attendance at the Florida conference will mean that he will join us in supporting future Buy American bills.”

Senator Jackson was the sponsor of LD 890, “An Act to Buy American-made Products,” which was vetoed by the Governor on July 8.