LANSING — This week, 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. Cara Clemente (D-Lincoln Park) issued the following statement:
“When our skilled tradesmen and women have higher wages, it makes all of Michigan stronger. Prevailing wage was an important law that ensured all hard-working Michigan residents received those higher wages, which is why its repeal is so unfortunate. Often, prevailing wage rates include investment in training and apprenticeship programs, providing an important step up for many workers on their career path, while ensuring projects are built to the highest standards of quality. This law helped to encourage our children to pursue a meaningful career in skilled trades, where there is already a shortage. Lowering wages by repealing prevailing wage will only serve to reduce job productivity and decrease the size of our already shorthanded skilled labor force. That is why I voted no on its repeal.”
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