For several years, attempts to repeal prevailing wage on state funded construction projects have occurred and could now potentially be coming to fruition. There have been many lawmakers who have introduced legislation in the past to repeal prevailing wage, however, Governor Rick Snyder has always opposed and promised a veto if such legislation ever reached his desk. Proponents of repealing prevailing wage have had to utilize other avenues in an attempt to be successful.
One avenue that has been successful is a citizens’ initiative. This measure is a signature collecting process that allows the legislature to take up a policy if enough signatures are collected and requires no Governor approval, like traditional legislation. The legislature has 40 days to consider the measure and, if no action is taken, the policy goes before the voters in the next general election, which in this case is November 6, 2018.
Those seeking to eliminate prevailing wage came one step closer to their goal last Friday when the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved signatures that were collected through a citizens’ initiative. Republican leaders in both the House and Senate have said that they anticipate a vote taking place this week to repeal the prevailing wage in Michigan, and they believe that they have the necessary votes to pass the measure.
MITA has fought hard over the past several years to maintain the state’s prevailing wage law and, unfortunately, it will be a difficult road ahead to defeat this proposal. The Senate has already taken a vote on this measure, which passed smoothly. The question remains whether or not there is sufficient support in the House for final passage. Click here to see the most recent correspondence to the legislature from MITA Executive Vice President Mike Nystrom.
As the week progresses, we will keep the membership updated. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mike Nystrom, Executive Vice President, at mikenystrom@thinkmita.org, or Lance Binoniemi, Vice President of Government Affairs, at lancebinoniemi@thinkmita.org. They both can be reached at 517-347-8336.
