October 5, 2021
Greetings!
Today, I am writing to you to provide another update and ask for your continued support with the SFNE Buy American Fabricated Campaign.
Legislation has been filed to reduce the level of publicly funded steel fabrication jobs awarded to foreign companies. S2546, filed by Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem), would require cities and towns to give preference to U.S. manufacturers when buying steel, iron, and other materials for new buildings and renovations.
Legislators must hear from their constituents about the bill's importance to the steel fabrication industry to succeed. Please send an email letter, and call the senators and legislators representing your home and work, and ask them to sponsor S2546. Click on the button below for a sample letter.
This legislation will allow the steel fabrication industry to compete for taxpayer-funded construction projects instead of that work going to foreign businesses and supporting their economies. In addition, the passage of the legislation will add local jobs, generate needed tax revenue for government services, and create considerable economic activity for many sectors of our economy through its multiplier effect.
The federal government and many other states have already adopted a similar policy on public construction projects. In conjunction with this long-term legislative solution, SFNE is also working to ensure that Massachusetts economic stimulus funds for public construction projects include a Buy American provision.
The timeframe is tight, and SFNE and its members must act quickly because the Massachusetts Legislature will decide on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in November.
Sending a quick email or making a phone call will only take a few minutes of your time, but the reward will be enormous if your contact convinces a legislator to sponsor the legislation. For follow-up, please copy me on your emails. My address is cflaherty@ssfne.org.
Below you will find button links to Find Your Legislator, a Sample Letter, and a Campaign Fact Sheet.
Would you please let me know if I can provide additional information or if you have questions?
Sincerely,
Catherine A. Flaherty
Catherine A. Flaherty, CAE
Executive Director
PS: We would also appreciate your financial support. If you have not yet contributed to the legislative campaign, please do so now! The total lobbying cost for 2021 is $70,000. To support the campaign, you can mail a check to the address listed below or use this secure online form.
