CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislation eliminating West Virginia’s long-standing practice of paying government-determined wages for public projects has advanced at the Capitol.
The House Government Organization Committee voted 15-9 along party lines Wednesday to pass HB 4005 striking down the state’s prevailing wage law.
The Republican leadership has made eliminating prevailing wage a top priority. In the last session, lawmakers approved a bi-partisan compromise aimed at improving the method for determining hourly labor rates for public construction projects.
However, Republicans argued the new methodology remained flawed and vowed to eliminate the requirement entirely this session.
Labor leaders have fought hard to retain prevailing wage, claiming it keeps paychecks and benefits higher, while protecting West Virginia workers and contractors from out-of-state competition.
Opponents argue the law artificially inflates wages and the cost to taxpayers for construction of schools and other state-financed projects.
The bill advanced to the full House for consideration.