Originally,
LD 1525, which was brought forward by Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, was intended
to encourage state government to purchase Maine-made products and to contract
services from Maine businesses. Creating and supporting good Maine jobs –
especially in and around Windham – is a top priority for me in Augusta, and
this bill helps do that by ensuring that we give our business to Maine-based
companies and services at every opportunity, and American goods and businesses
when Maine options are unavailable.
To
further strengthen the bill, my colleague Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston,
offered an amendment that calls for the creation of a procurement review board
to evaluate all state contracts worth $1 million or more. Currently, state
departments and agencies can act alone when deciding where to spend state money
and how to complete a project.
Rep.
Golden’s amendment, which I support, would increase transparency, help ensure
that Windham taxpayer money is being used wisely and make sure that if we must
contract out work, we are getting the best deal possible and working with
qualified contractors.
The
new procurement review board would consist of five members appointed by the
governor and confirmed by the senate. Members would be industry professionals
who have experience procuring large-scale contracts. The board would review
potential contracts, conduct research and hold hearings to gather information
and hear concerns from the public. To win board approval, the contract would
have to be the most cost-efficient. The board would be required to always give
a first look to businesses within our state for the goods and services we need.
This
kind of policy would have been useful in the case of the Casco Bay Bridge,
where a massive state contract was awarded to an out-of-state company. The deal
was made without being seen by members of the public or the Transportation
Committee, and it didn’t even save the state any money. If this bill had been
law at that time, the procurement board could have tried to keep these jobs in
our economy, and given the public a chance to weigh in.
Another
instance where this amendment could be useful is the Department of Health and
Human Services’ current plan to privatize the ASPIRE program, a state program
that helps TANF recipients find work. The department is seeking bids that would
likely end up going to an out-of-state, for-profit vendor, putting at risk the
jobs of Mainers who have been recognized for their ability to help other
Mainers find employment.
When
we are talking about millions of dollars in taxpayer money and important state
services, increasing transparency through an independent review board is the
right thing to do. We need to have a careful approach when it comes to big
shifts in how government is providing services to Maine people.
The
bill is currently being discussed in the State and Local Government Committee,
on which I serve. If you have questions or comments about this or any other
issue, please feel welcome to call me at 892-6591 or email me at mark.bryant@legislature.maine.gov.
Rep.
Mark Bryant is serving his fifth non-consecutive term in the Maine House and
represents part of Windham. He serves on the Committee on State and Local
Government and the Committee on Transportation.
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