It is not a bad idea to buy local. I just don’t really understand why it would take state action and state money for a local school or a local business to buy local. It seems that they could do that perfectly well themselves.
Evers signed two executive orders shortly after the address, creating a new committee specialized for the issue, and calling lawmakers to the Capitol next week to take action on the $8.5 million package of bills.
Notably among the plans are funding efforts to increase dairy exports, not only across the country, but locally, with funding for farm-to-table and farm-to-school programs.
On Thursday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes spoke on what these efforts might look like for the La Crosse area.
“This is what the people are calling for,” Barnes said. “People feel comfortable spending their dollars locally, but we want to be able to make that as simple a process as possible.”
The programs and funding would help local farmers partner with area businesses to get healthier, closer products to tables and schools.
And yet Foxconn needs incentives.
>> I just don’t really understand why it would take state action and state money for a local school or a local business to buy local.<<
Because current Wisconsin law prohibits granting geographical preference (i.e. to local businesses) for purchases or projects exceeding $5,000.
Hmmm… interesting restriction. On the one hand, it would be easy to change. On the other hand, it opens a door to cronyism and corruption. “We’re going to award the contract to my buddy’s local company even though they are 10% more.”
Works for Congress. Why not the Wisconsin Legislature??
An interesting restriction regarding local road construction: If a local project has a particular funding source (LRIP, etc) County Highway departments cannot be awarded the bid unless they are at least 10% less than than the bid of private contractors. Since county rates (asphalt, gravel, equipment, etc) are public knowledge, this restriction results in an automatic 10% increase in the cost of a local project. I’ll be vos and fitz won’t do anything about that. I know our R rep won’t touch it, I’ve asked.