An effort to repeal Michigan’s 50-year old prevailing wage law moved forward this week. On Tuesday, the state board of canvassers approved the form of a citizen petition that could put it to a vote in the state legislature. Meanwhile, the Michigan Senate has already passed such a measure and sent it to the House, but a citizen petition, if approved by the legislature, could not be vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder. The Governor opposes repeal.For decades, the prevailing wage law has required payment of union-scale wages for workers on state-funded building projects. The group Protecting Michigan Taxpayers cites a study claiming that prevailing wage regulations cost taxpayers more than $224-million a year on construction projects alone.
Supporters of the law say it benefits working families, does not increase total construction costs and creates higher quality and more economical construction.
Current State talks with repeal supporter Chris Fisher, President of the Associated Building Contractors of Michigan, and repeal opponent Mike Crawford, Michigan Chapter Manager of the National Electrical Contractors Association.