SMALL BUSINESS DECLARES VICTORY AS COMMON CONSTRUCTION WAGE REPEAL PASSES SENATE

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15, 2015): Today the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is celebrating a big victory for small business in Indiana as the Senate passed to repeal the common construction wage in the state with a vote of 27 to 22. 

“Repealing the common construction wage will create more jobs for hard working Hoosiers and allow the free market to finally take hold when it comes to constructing public projects.” Said NFIB Indiana State Director Barbara Quandt. “We commend the 27 members of the Indiana Senate that had the courage and tenacity to stand up to the unions and their rhetoric and do what they knew in their hearts was best for the economic recovery of our state.”

Other states that have taken similar action have seen an increase in their job creation and reduction in the costs for public projects. However, there had been a steady push by the unions to keep the common wage so that they could remain a strong hold in the public work projects sector. 

“This has been a hard fought battle that included the union backed opposition using scare tactics and attempting to mislead the public. Small business in Indiana is extremely grateful that our lawmakers took the time to understand the issue and came to the decision that they did. Although it may have been well intended when it was conceived almost 100 years ago, over time the common wage has morphed into a government mandated price fixing scheme. But after today’s vote, we can all begin to embrace a more competitive system that will be beneficial to both small businesses and tax payers alike,” Concluded Quandt.