Uh, Robin? Why not? What possible reason is there to not repeal this law other than there is a lobbying group of contractors who receive the inflated contracts pushing against it? Shouldn’t the taxpayers’ interests come first?

But in the midst of the back and forth, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has maintained his position that prevailing wage will not be repealed. According to his office, Vos remains focused on finding ways to improve the law.

Rep. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, held the press conference with various repeal supporters representing the construction industry, independent businesses, municipalities and school districts. Hutton, who wrote the Assembly’s repeal bill, said discussions with leadership are ongoing about whether AB 32 would go through the public hearing process as a standalone bill or be incorporated into the budget.

“The discussion right now,” Hutton said after the press conference, “is more so where do we place it and when do we place it.”

Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, wrote the Senate’s companion bill, SB 49.

Prevailing wages, which are based on state surveys of companies, apply to most public works projects and are minimum rates of compensation for workers in individual trades in specific counties.

During the press conference, Hutton said he is not focused on trying to improve a law that he considers irrelevant, but he still left the door open a crack to the possibility of change rather than repeal.