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Prevailing Wage Repeal Clears Michigan Senate

Legislation to repeal prevailing wage laws in Michigan has cleared the state Senate. Those laws require union-level pay and benefits for workers on publicly-funded construction projects. Critics of the change say it would hurt thousands of working families.

State Senator Tom Casperson of Escanaba was one of five Republicans that joined Democrats in opposition. Casperson said, “I would implore my colleagues to ask yourself, when you’re accused of supporting the corporations at the expense of the working man, those that are accusing us of that – are they going to be wrong?”

Supporters of the legislation say prevailing wage artificially drives up the cost of taxpayer-funded projects.

The bills now go to the state House – where their future is uncertain.