LANSING, MI (AP)-- The best chance advocates have to save a Michigan law that promises better wages on public works projects is if Republican legislators ignore a petition initiative and instead let voters decide the fate of prevailing wage.
The statute requires workers on government construction projects to be paid local wage and benefit rates based on union contracts. Governor Rick Snyder supports the law as a way to address a shortage of skilled tradespeople.
So nonunion contractors and conservative donors are pushing for the measure's repeal through citizen-initiated legislation.
The Legislature will be able to pass the bill with no possibility of a veto.
Many in the construction industry want lawmakers to not act so that the legislation goes to a statewide vote in 2016. But majority Republicans seem poised to vote.