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CVA Urges Wisconsin Assembly to Repeal Prevailing Wage

By Concerned Veterans for America

Madison, WI – Today the Wisconsin Assembly will 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 working on government contracts – while leaving taxpayers to cover the higher costs.

CVA Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following comment:

“Wisconsin’s outdated prevailing wage law is a barrier to entry for veterans seeking employment as they transition out of service and into civilian life. In addition to killing potential veteran jobs, this law unnecessarily drives up the cost of state projects and leaves taxpayers on the hook to cover the bloated costs. We urge the Wisconsin Assembly to move forward with the state budget and fully repeal Wisconsin’s 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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