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PA Right to Work

House Members Demonstrate Statemanship

Strong pro-taxpayer, pro-jobs vote

by Susan Staub,
President, PA Right to Work

•--The DATE was July 02, 2008 on Senate Bill 1341, "The Chesapeake Bay Cleanup."
•--The VOTE was on amendment A8389, proposed by Representative Scott Perry (R-92).
•--A "YES" majority vote would remove the onerous "Prevailing Wage" requirements from the project.

SIXTY-SEVEN courageous Pennsylvania House members voted "YES" on the amendment! While they did not prevail, they sent the message loud and clear: "We will continue to fight for jobs and economic growth in the Commonwealth!"

The requirement for construction wages to mirror those "prevailing in the state" originated from the "Davis-Bacon Act," passed in 1931 when the federal government was the largest construction contractor and the nation was in a major depression. Pennsylvania's so-called "Prevailing Wage" Act was instituted in 1961 and was applied to any taxpayer-financed construction project with a value of $25,000 or more.

Since the wage that "prevails" is determined largely from surveys, today's union officials see to it that "surveys" are sent in. Consequently, those become the "rates" which are used to create the "prevailing wage." Open shop contractors, smaller businesses, and independent contractors do not benefit from these "surveys" and localities do not benefit from the "rates".

According to the Washington D.C.-based "Alliance for Worker Freedom," Davis-Bacon surveys have a 100% error rate! (U.S. Office of Inspector General) Consequently, construction costs are inflated by 9.91%! Since these applications artificially inflate wages on average by 22%, "compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act raises public construction costs by $8.6 billion per year nationwide – a cost that taxpayers must bear!" ("Media Freedom Project", pg 2, February 27, 2008.)

In our state, cost-conscious citizens appreciated the efforts of the 67 Pennsylvania State House members who stood up for removal of the onerous and costly "wage requirements" imposed by Senate bill S1341. They understand clearly that the imposition of the state's artificial wage law on our taxpayer-financed construction projects is nothing more than an inflated 10% to 30% add-on to the cost of the projects.

Every one of us pays that price!

Obviously, the "prevailing wage" requirement is pushed by Pennsylvania union officials who want to control job opportunities and workers. But, "prevailing wage" does absolutely nothing to strengthen our economy because it limits job opportunities for our citizens.

The promise of our country is freedom. Freedom in the workplace – for taxpayer-financed projects, for businesses, for citizens and individual employees – is the essential element for a robust economy. The members of Pennsylvanians For Right To Work have thanked each of the 67 Pennsylvania House members for their vote to eliminate "prevailing wage". They are the leaders for the kind of prosperity our state needs. Why didn't others join them? That's a question every one of us should ask.

It really IS this simple: liberty for employers and employees expands job opportunities and coercive laws like "prevailing wage" do not. Our job creators and our fellow citizens understand this. Let's be sure the majority of our legislators get the message.

(The 67 House members are identified on our website at www.PARightToWork.org. Just click on the link to view the full vote on Representative Perry's amendment.)

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Contact Mrs. Staub at SStaub@PARightToWork.org for more information or to arrange a speaking engagement for your group or organization. Or visit their website at www.PARightToWork.org.

Pennsylvanians for Right to Work is not affiliated with any other Right to Work organization.