On the recordJuly 19, 2022
I appreciate the gentlewoman for yielding. Here we are once again having a discussion about Davis-Bacon prevailing wages. Dozens of studies over decades have shown prevailing wages increase productivity, raise wages, helps local contractors, promote high-quality apprenticeship programs. The very thing that we talk about doing here for our districts. Prevailing wage laws increase productivity by attracting higher- quality general contractors and subcontractors to bid on public works; it levels the playing field. As a result, public projects cut down on change orders and finish projects with greater efficiency. In fact, in 2015, West Virginia repealed its State prevailing wage law, arguing it would allow the State to build five schools instead of four. But after a study, the repeal showed that there were no cost savings from repeal of the law--but massive decreases in wages, out-of- town contractors and apprenticeships. Not only that, prevailing wage laws are also good for business. They are good for contractor associations. They are good for people. I find it absolutely unbelievable that we come down and have these discussions each and every time saying: I am fighting to lower wages in my district. This is what my people want, they want to be paid less. Not a word on what the contractor/owners can make. But the workers, the ones who build things, we are fighting to lower those wages. This is insane. I would call it dumb, but I want to be kinder.…
