March 01, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE????
March 1, 2022?
Contact:?Press@Michigan.gov???
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Gov.?Whitmer Celebrates?Prevailing Wage for State Construction Contracts?
Prevailing wage officially in effect for all state construction contracts, uplifting working people?and guaranteeing Michigan taxpayers have safe, reliable infrastructure??
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LANSING, Mich. -?Today,?Governor Gretchen Whitmer's decision to reinstate prevailing wage for all state construction contracts went into effect. This policy ensures the best value on infrastructure for Michigan taxpayers and raises wages for working people, helping them support their families and improve their quality of life. ?
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"Reinstating prevailing wage?for state construction projects puts working people first and helps us build high-quality, cost-effective infrastructure with the right mix and materials," said Governor Whitmer. "In Michigan, we are leading?by example?and?delivering real change?for?our hardworking people who deserve to be?treated with dignity and respect and earn a fair wage - especially during these times. Good-paying jobs are the foundation of a?strong middle class and state construction contracts must not be the exception.?I'm proud to get this done, especially as we create jobs by fixing roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes, expanding high-speed internet, and installing electric vehicle chargers."??
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Governor Whitmer has instructed?the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) to use their legal authority as they negotiate state contracts to prioritize the well-being of workers, families, and communities. Michigan was built by working people. For decades, working men and women dedicated blood, sweat, and tears to help us become who we are.?
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"Governor Whitmer's decision to reinstate prevailing wage will let good Michigan contractors compete on a level playing field, put more money in working people's pockets, and boost our economy," said Tom Lutz, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. "We look forward to working with her to continue supporting working families and building up Michigan's infrastructure so that everyone can drive on safe roads and bridges, access reliable high-speed internet, drink clean water, and take advantage of the opportunities provided by a dynamic, growing economy."
"Governor Whitmer is standing up for Michigan's workers by reinstating prevailing wage laws for state construction contracts," said Price Dobernick, Business Manager of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 333. "We support the Governor's decision and appreciate her having our back. Reinstating prevailing wage ensures that contractors bidding on state construction projects will pay fair wages, guaranteeing that these projects will be built to the highest standards by skilled craftspeople. Together, we will make Michigan a more prosperous state that protects, supports, and rewards hard-working people."
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History of Prevailing Wage??
Michigan's prevailing wage was repealed by the Michigan legislature in June 2018. A total of 24 states have repealed their prevailing wage laws. Michigan's repeal eliminated the state's prevailing wage requirement, but left the door open for DTMB to require prevailing wage under its authority to develop the terms of state contracts. Governor Whitmer proudly made the call to reinstate prevailing wage in Oct. 2021.? ??
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Governor Whitmer's decision to reinstate prevailing wage ensures hard-working people can earn a decent standard of living, take care of their families, and have a secure retirement. Reinstating prevailing wage for state construction projects puts more money in people's pockets and guarantees Michigan gets the well-trained, skilled workforce to build safe, reliable infrastructure. ?
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Fixing the Damn Roads?
Since Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan has repaired, rebuilt, or replaced 13,198 lane miles and 903 bridges, supporting 82,000 jobs. Michigan also has billions headed its way from the bipartisan infrastructure plan to turbocharge progress on infrastructure, fix more roads and bridges, replace more lead pipes, expand high-speed internet to more communities, and keep building our electric vehicle charging network.?
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Budget?
A few weeks ago, Governor Whitmer introduced her budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2023. The budget puts Michiganders first and delivers on the issues that matter most to working families. ?
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The budget includes plans to roll back the retirement tax, cut taxes for working families, make the biggest per-student investment ever, invest $1 billion in school construction, $6.3 billion in infrastructure, and send bonuses to all school staff, frontline workers, and first responders.?
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The budget also funds and expands workforce training programs that put people on paths to good-paying jobs, helping them land jobs that pay prevailing wage building up our infrastructure.?
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Governor Whitmer will work with anyone to put Michiganders first and deliver on the proposals in her budget.?
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