Bills target more work for Maine builders
Two controversial bills in Augusta would give Maine companies a competitive edge when vying for state contracts.
Rep. Steven Butterfield (D-Bangor) has introduced a bill -- LD 327 -- to give Maine small businesses with 50 or fewer employees and $5 million or less in gross sales a bump of 15% in the bidding process for state projects, according to the Bangor Daily News. Rep. Douglas Thomas (R-Ripley) has offered an alternative measure -- LD 586 -- that allows Maine businesses regardless of their size or revenue to bid 5% higher than non-Maine firms and still be considered equal in the bidding process.
Butterfield's bill was heard last week and received mixed reviews before the State and Local Government Committee. Detractors opposed the bill's requirement that the winning contractor has to offer health insurance to its employees; others said the bill gives small contractors too great an advantage. Thomas' bill has not been heard yet.
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