McCaskill to propose native contracting bill

[proud2BlibKansan]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska | U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill plans to introduce legislation that would strip Alaska Native corporations of the unprecedented edge they now enjoy in obtaining federal contracts worth billions of dollars.

The Missouri Democrat plans to introduce legislation in November that would, among other changes, eliminate the ability of the corporations to receive contracts with no monetary caps. The Washington Post first reported McCaskill's plans Thursday.

The corporations would still be able to participate in the Small Business Administration 8(a) program, which aims to help small disadvantaged firms. But they would no longer enjoy special benefits implemented two decades ago by then- Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says the Alaska Democrat opposes the plan and believes McCaskill is "misguided and shortsighted and doesn't understand the program."



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/07/2289193/mccaskill-to-propose-native-contracting.html#ixzz11lUPGtlc