The Bay Bridge provides a "learning moment"
California's Oakland Bay Bridge project was awarded to a state-owned Chinese firm by
California officials, allegedly to save taxpayer money.
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) has made clear that U.S. manufacturers and their workers stood ready to build the bridge.
In the Contra Costa Times today, AAM Executive Director Scott Paul explained that the Bay Bridge will "provide a learning moment for public officials who will make future decisions about infrastructure":
Paul claims California missed out on a chance to create 2,500 jobs. He said state-subsidized Chinese companies don't compete on a level playing field and sending money to China only strengthens it as an international competitor.
He's not the first to voice objections. State Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, touched on the topic months ago, citing the "multiplier effect" -- payroll dollars spreading through the economy -- as a benefit of doing business domestically. Then again, Alejo wasn't in office when this deal was done. It's easy to second-guess play calling after the game is over.
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The Bay Bridge provides a "learning moment"
We live in a global economy. We can buy US for a lot of reasons as long as we are willing to seak out the goods and services but in some cases, not all, we need to be prepared to pay more. If the CA taxpayers agree to pay more for the bridge to buy US, no problem.