Rep. Burns to introduce legislation bolstering Pennsylvania’s economy with American-made products

Pennsylvania Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria County) announced he would introduce a three-bill legislative package to rebuild Pennsylvania’s economy with American-made products.

In a memorandum to state legislators on Tuesday, Burns said his legislation would expand the requirement for American-made materials to be used on public works projects and in private development projects that receive public funding.

“When American workers get the first shot at supplying the steel needed for a bridge project or constructing a new building, they’re always up to the challenge,” Burns wrote in his memo. “Since 2008, Pennsylvania has pumped more than $2.5 billion in public money into companies that built facilities, expanded operations, shot movies, and conducted research here. This public investment is crucial to encourage employers to locate here and tap into Pennsylvania’s talent and resources.”

The package of legislation consists of three bills. The first would require American-made steel to be used in the construction and repair of all underground pipelines. The second would require construction or repair projects that receive taxpayer funding to use American-made steel. And the third would provide a 2-percent bid discount on all bids for public projects when American-made materials are used in the price quote.

The legislation would strengthen the steel industry in the state while helping to create jobs, he said.

“If public tax dollars are on the line – whether through grants, low-interest loans, tax credits, or other subsidies – the companies who receive them should support steel mills and other manufacturers in Pennsylvania and across the United States,” he said. “These businesses offer good-paying jobs to working families while providing high-quality products.”