The state Senate has voted to ban prevailing wage requirements in Michigan.
Those laws mandate union-level pay and benefits for workers on publicly-funded construction projects.
The legislation was introduced by Senate Majority Leader ArlanMeekhof.
“Taxpayers will pay less for their schools, pay less expensive price tags for construction, which means our communities – which are financing this – will be financing less, saving taxpayer money over the life of the entire asset," Meekhof said.
But opponents like Democratic state Senator Curtis Hertel say it would mean a big pay cut for thousands of working families.
“We should be fighting for them, not attacking their wages,” Hertel said.
The bills now go to the state House. It’s not clear whether they’ll have enough support there to get to the governor’s desk.
