Cuomo, legislative leaders announce 'Buy American' agreement for iron and steel

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein announced an agreement to implement the purchase of American-made steel and iron products by state entities.

The "Buy American" legislation requires the Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, Bridge Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Office of General Services, SUNY Construction Fund and Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to provide a contract provision mandating all surface road and bridge projects include use of American-made structural iron and steel, unless it can be well argued that using such products in a particular project should be exempted.

"When we Buy American, we support the continued growth of our manufacturing industries here at home, preserve and create jobs and invest in our future," Cuomo said. "This legislation will reinvest in the talent that made this state and this country what it is today and strengthen our role as a global leader in manufacturing for years to come.”

The measure also establishes a work group that would consider the option of expanding the provision to other manufacturing products like concrete, cement and aluminium. It would also explore reciprocal trade access with other countries that may be impacted by the program and mitigate any issues that may occur. The work group will be made up of 14 members, with Cuomo appointing seven of them, as well as the chair.

“Imports of cheap iron ore and steel of potentially questionable quality are putting American companies at a competitive disadvantage," Majority Leader Flanagan said. "Our new "Buy American" law will ensure that New York’s most significant infrastructure projects are built with materials that are safe and high-quality, help contribute to our local and national economies, create new jobs and protect workers right here in our own backyard."

The legislation will be implemented on April 1, 2018.