MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – State Senate GOP leader Scott Fitzgerald says it’s possible that at least some changes to the prevailing wage law could be inserted in the next state budget.
But Fitzgerald told WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee Wednesday that his party’s majority is “fractured” on the subject.
He said he doesn’t have the votes for a full repeal of the 84-year-old law, which requires contractors on public works projects to be paid wages comparable to similar projects in the same areas.
The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance has said repealing the law could save taxpayers up to $300 million a year. Democrats said paying workers less could result in shoddy work.
Fitzgerald said Wednesday that the state’s construction industry has largely built itself upon the prevailing wage law — even though the Senate leader called the concept “flawed and ridiculous.”
Fitzgerald was planning to bring up the issue Wednesday in a meeting he had scheduled with Governor Scott Walker. The Senate leader called the matter “very messy” right now.
A few weeks ago, Assembly Majority Leader Robin Vos said his chamber didn’t have the votes to repeal the prevailing wage law, either.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
