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This week I’m expanding my Buy Local RI message to include the state government: I’m introducing legislation today that would make Rhode Island companies first among equals when bidding for Rhode Island state contracts and prevent out-of-state companies from receiving unfair competitive advantages.

At the Rhode Island Economic Summit last week, a man who owns a small business told the audience about his frustration with state purchasing process. He had applied for a contract, and it went to a Connecticut business. He asked for a way for local businesses to be more competitive in the bidding process. I agree with him.

State government is a major consumer of goods and services, and we need to be mindful that the dollars we spend on goods and services for Rhode Island’s government impact our state’s economy. Since I launched Buy Local RI 15 months ago, my office has received numerous calls from local business owners eager to find a way to successfully compete in the state purchasing process. We need to make sure local businesses get a fair shake—most especially during this difficult economic time.

The All Things Being Equal bill, sponsored by Rep. Ruggiero and Sen. DiPalma, would require that a Rhode Island vendor be selected in the event that bids from a local and an out-of-state company were judged to be equal in all other respects.

The Reciprocal Preference Bill, sponsored by Rep. Guthrie and Sen. Goodwin, would reciprocate any penalty that other states impose against Rhode Island companies if a company from that state seeks a Rhode Island government contract. This will discourage other states from adopting protective preferences and ensure that out-of-state companies seeking to do business in Rhode Island do not have an unfair competitive advantage over Rhode Island companies.