Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Senate is expected to vote on the state budget, which includes a full repeal of Wisconsin’s prevailing wage law. Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) has pushed for legislators in Wisconsin to eliminate the prevailing wage law because it limits job opportunities for veterans and boosts pay for well-connected companies that work on government contracts – while leaving taxpayers to cover the higher costs.
CVA Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following comment:
“The Assembly took a bold step forward by voting to fully repeal the prevailing wage – now, it’s up to the Senate to pass this state budget and stop a policy that limits opportunity for veterans across the state. Veterans of current wars have a disproportionately higher unemployment rate than the general population and the last thing they need is a policy that blocks their entry into the workforce. The Senate should give Wisconsin veterans greater economic opportunity by repealing the archaic prevailing wage law.”
Earlier this year, CVA released web ads targeted at Wisconsin legislators. The ads highlight the positive impact that a prevailing wage repeal would have on veterans in the state. CVA also released a memo which refutes the myth, propagated by union-backed groups, that veterans support prevailing wage laws.
Prevailing wage laws, which were adopted in Wisconsin nearly 85 years ago, mandate that contractors are paid based on rates decided by unions. Instead of having the market determine how much these services are valued by the state, union bosses get to decide – and then taxpayers get stuck with the bill. Prevailing wage laws result in higher taxpayer costs and can limit the ability of many small businesses to compete for government work.
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