Senate panel expected to vote prevailing-wage measure Tuesday

Opponents say it will hurt wages across industry, including vets.

A state senate panel in Madison is expected to vote Tuesday on a measure that would rid the state of remaining prevailing wage requirement. 

During a public hearing on the measure last week, Republican state Senator Frank Lasee argued making the move would even the playing field in public projects between union and non-union contractors, unlike how things are now.

“We have a two-tiered system – those that work for the government and those that don’t,” Lasee said.

Opponents say it will hurt wages across the construction industry, especially veterans because they’re employed at a higher rate in construction than in other industries. 

Proponents of the measure say  getting rid of prevailing wages would promote competition by making it easier for small companies to bid on public projects. Lasee agrees with that.

“I also think it will have an affect in the rural areas of the state,” he said. “Instead of having someone come from far away and out of town, you’ll get somebody that who has local labor.”