O'SCANLON SAYS PREVAILING WAGE HURTS THE VERY WORKERS IT'S SUPPOSED TO HELP

Acting Department of Labor Commissioner  Hal Wirths recently appeared before the Assembly Budget Committee prompting the following press release by Assemblyman O'Scanlon.

Testimony from Hal Wirths, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, that New Jersey must be more affordable in order to attract new businesses and grow jobs to improve its 9.8 percent unemployment rate highlights the need to repeal the state's prevailing wage laws, Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said.

"Countless business and environmental groups have told us that prevailing wage has killed many worthwhile projects because it would have increased costs by 30 percent," O'Scanlon said. "Workers may be paid 30 percent more on a few projects, but they will be paid 100 percent less on many more that won't happen because of expensive mandates placed on employers. It is a net negative to the very workers whom prevailing wage was supposed to help."

Assemblyman O'Scanlon is the sponsor of A2370, which would repeal prevailing wage mandates on clean energy projects.

"That is the first step toward reducing the cost of doing business in New Jersey," O'Scanlon said. "Prevailing wage hinders job growth by making construction costs prohibitive. It is another straw breaking taxpayers back at a time we need to reduce costs. Lowering construction costs could the jump-start our economy needs right now."

Lead Paint Certification Law Now in Effect

The EPA Lead Paint Certification Law is now in effect. If you are a contractor of any trade that does renovation work where children are present and you discturb 6 square ft. or more of painted surface you must be certified.

The penalties for non compliance are up to $32,500 per violation per day. Law firms have already begun lining up to file law suits against non compliant contractors on behalf of homeowners that have renovation work done. 

The EPA also has an enforcement program in place. The EPA's Enforcement Program is aimed at protecting the public by targeting persons or entities who niether comply nor cooperate to address their legal obligations.

For more information Contractors can also contact the EPA at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit www.epa.gov/lead

O'Scanlon Commends BPU for Assessing Impact of Prevailing Wage on Clean Energy Projects

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer, welcomed testimony from Board of Public Utilities President Lee Solomon that the agency is assessing the impact of a law requiring prevailing wage on clean energy projects.

The law was signed during the lame duck session of the NJ Legislature by then Acting Governor & Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, Sweeney, a union organizer for the International Association of Ironworkers, blatantly disregarded the substantial increase in construction costs the measure will impose upon the taxpaying public. As a union organizer the Senate President has a clear conflict of interest in any Legislation that mandates expansion of prevailing wages.

Assemblyman O'Scanlon is confident the review by the BPU will confirm Trade Organization’s and environmental group claims that prevailing wage is a hindrance to expanding the use of green energy saving systems and products throughout New Jersey. Green Energy Projects affected by the law are Solar Voltaic Systems, Energy Efficient Lighting, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems and more.

"I am confident that this analysis will confirm what several environmental and business groups have told us: clean energy projects are not proceeding because mandating prevailing wage is making clean energy projects too expensive," O'Scanlon said. "I want people to earn decent wages, but they won't be earning anything if no one is working on clean energy projects because of expensive mandates that increase costs by up 40 percent."

Assemblyman O'Scanlon is the sponsor of A-2370, which if passed would repeal the prevailing wage mandate on Green Energy Projects,

A-2370 would create jobs by making Green Energy Project more affordable for the taxpayers of New Jersey.

"We all want to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills, but businesses are not going to invest in our environment if costs are prohibitive," O'Scanlon said. "This issue is one of the few examples on which the business and environmental communities agree. Lifting this requirement will result in more projects that will help the environment and put more people back to work in these trying economic times."

Federal Judge Rejects Delaware's Policy of Discrimination On Prevailing Wage Projects

Contractors Working On Prevailing Wage Projects across state lines should take note of the following precedent setting Federal Court Ruling.

A Federal Judge ruled that Delaware Department of Labor cannot favor in state contractors on prevailing wage projects by allowing them pay reduced wage rates to their apprentices while denying out-of-state contractors the same right.

Wednesday’s ruling came in a lawsuit by Pennsylvania-based Tri-M Group, an Electrical Subcontractor for construction of the state veterans home in Milford Delaware.

Delawares apprentices are paid a percentage of the Journyman rate based upon experience as is the case in New Jersey.

Delawares DOL officials refused to recognize Tri-M’s Pennsylvania-registered apprentices and ordered the company to pay them Journeyman rates for wages and benefits.

The judge granted summary judgment to Tri-M Group, saying Delaware’s position amounts to economic protectionism that discriminates against out-of-state businesses.