April 20, 2006

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO PROTECT JOBS

State Representative Kevin Ryan announced House passage of legislation, 97 to 45, to protect jobs from flowing out of the state and overseas. An Act Concerning the Retention of Jobs in Connecticut and The United States (HB 5279) would require those seeking to do business with the State of Connecticut to identify whether services would be performed outside the United States. The state would give preference to contractors with supplies, materials and equipment produced, assembled or manufactured in the Connecticut or United States and to services originating and provided in the state or United States.

“We have all heard about the anemic job growth in the state of Connecticut, why wouldn’t we pass a bill to protect jobs here? It makes sense to protect jobs in Connecticut,” said Rep. Ryan.

This bill allows state agencies to adopt contractual requirements and procedures to encourage contractors to perform services within the United States and sets conditions under which the state must give bid preferences to goods and services originating in this country. The bill requires the governor to report to the legislature by January 1, 2007 if any existing state contract work, for either goods or services, is done outside of Connecticut or the United States. It also establishes an office within the attorney general's office to help Connecticut manufacturers and other businesses protect their patents and operations from unfair and illegal foreign competition.

Rep. Ryan said, “Legislation similar to this one is long overdue. I hope the Senate values its importance.”

The legislation awaits action by the Senate.

Rep. Ryan is serving his seventh term in the Connecticut General Assembly. He is House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee and serves as a member of the Appropriations and Public Health Committees.