Catherwood LibraryILR School

A bill designed to close loopholes in a law requiring that construction workers on projects that receive government funds be paid a prevailing wage, is among almost 200 bills that Governor Davis must approve or veto by this Sunday. The bill would specify that any form of public subsidization, including tax breaks and fee waivers, would qualify as government funding and necessitate the paying of prevailing wages---usually equal to local union wages. While union leaders have praised the bill, saying that it will increase quality and safety and allow construction workers to afford better housing, affordable housing advocates and construction and development companies have opposed the bill on the grounds that it will raise the cost of low-income housing.