Last week the Michigan Board of State Canvassers deadlocked along party lines on approving the NFIB backed prevailing wage repeal ballot initiative. Despite obtaining the required number of signatures, recommendations from the Secretary of State, and an Attorney General opinion, the two labor union representatives on the Board voted not to allow the proposal to proceed to the legislature for further action. The next step will be a request for an expedited decision overruling the Board from the state Court of Appeals.
Had the Board of State Canvassers approved the repeal initiative, a vote by the state House and Senate would have been likely on Tuesday, May 1. Now a vote could be delayed for weeks or months.
Michigan’s outdated Prevailing Wage Law drives up construction costs for taxpayers and discourages small business from bidding on government construction projects. It is nothing more than protectionist regulation for and by construction labor unions.
NFIB will continue to work on the issue to be sure the needed votes are there when the issue comes before the legislature.
