The General Assembly has passed, and the governor has signed a major transportation funding bill which includes some reform to the state’s 50-year old Prevailing Wage Act.
Language included in the $2.4 billion state transportation funding bill will allow local municipalities to save money on bridge or highway projects under $100,000. The measure, modeled after Rep. David Millard’s
House Bill 796, would increase the prevailing wage threshold from $25,000 to $100,000.
“This new threshold is more workable for townships and boroughs to stretch their dollars and address the increase in cost for highway building materials,” said Millard (R-Columbia County).
While facing strong opposition, supporters of prevailing wage reform, including Speaker Sam Smith, insisted the change be part of any highway funding legislation. Smith, of Jefferson County, said the reform “will allow for better local management and control of project costs.”