Common Wage Bill Simmers in Senate
The Indiana Senate could vote on a bill designed to repeal the common construction wage for public projects today or tomorrow. During an interview on Inside INdiana Business Television, Indianapolis-based BMWC Constructors President Brian Acton said the move would cause his company and others to look for work in other states. Ed Roberts with the Indiana Manufacturers Association argues the legislation would allow wages to be set by the free market. A second reading vote was delayed Monday in the Senate.
Acton adds repealing the law would force his company to “look for work outside of Indiana.”
Roberts says the law isn't a business or union issue, but one that revolves around taxpayers.
Earlier in the process, the Indiana Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee approved an amendment requiring companies involved in these projects to provide an employee training program.
Some proponents of the bill say removing the common wage would save taxpayers money.
Opponents, like many that rallied at the Statehouse Monday on behalf of the Indiana Building Contractors Alliance, say the common wage was originally put in place to keep local contractors from being “undercut” by out-of-state contractors.
You can read the full bill by clicking here.
Source: Inside INdiana Business