The state's prevailing wage law is under fire, but many construction firms say getting rid of it would be a mistake. They say it helps local companies compete and rewards productivity - and the argument that it raises costs is a fiction promoted by low wage advocates.
Many of the state's contractors say repealing West Virginia's Prevailing Wage law is a terrible idea. The new Republican leadership at the legislature says it wants to do away with the law, which mandates that construction workers on public projects make the going rate for their specialty in a given area.
Kim Caragna with J.D. & E. says for decades the prevailing wage has been key to their ability to maintain a high-quality workforce. He says without it, low-cost out-of-state contractors will try to under bid local companies. He says, "You're bringing in out-of-state contractors that will undercut our projects. The safety issue comes into it, the quality issue comes into it."
The proposal is expected to come up during the legislative session, which starts next month.
