Do our state agencies need to buy digital cameras from a Massachusetts company? Why would state government purchase bread and bakery products from Missouri? Should the state have hired a New York company to help market and promote Iowa to tourists?
What if we gave Iowa businesses that employ Iowans, pay local property taxes and produce Iowa products a chance at state contracts while still getting the lowest bid for Iowa taxpayers?
Senate File 1, known as the Iowa First initiative, can help by giving Iowa businesses priority in competing for state contracts. The bill will allow Iowa companies seeking to sell products and services to the state the chance to match competing out-of-state bids if the projects are less than $500,000 and the Iowa firm is within 5 percent or $10,000 of the lowest bidder.
Iowa businesses need opportunities to grow and expand if our economy is going to thrive. First and foremost, our businesses need customers for their goods and services. They’ll get both if the Iowa House takes up this bill, which was approved by the Senate.