LANSING — Today, the House of Representatives voted on a proposal to repeal the state’s prevailing wage law, which ensured that workers on state projects were paid a fair wage. The proposal passed by a vote of 56-53. In response, state Rep. Brian K. Elder (D-Bay City) issued the following statement:

            “This petition was forged out of deceit, with its own signature gatherers having to lie to convince people to lend their support. Now Republicans lied to Michiganders by promising that repealing prevailing wage will save us money when every study proves it will do just the opposite. Let me make this crystal clear: The only ones who stand to benefit from this repeal are a small group of low-bid, crooked contractors who seek to increase profits while slashing the wages hardworking families rely on to pay their bills and save for a secure retirement. This heartless Republican proposal does not represent Michigan values or the interest of my people, and I could not vote to support any proposal that would so obviously destroy the economic security of middle-class families across the state.”

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