Mo. to get new wage requirements on public works

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri is adopting new wage requirements for construction projects on public roads and buildings.

Gov. Jay Nixon said Friday that he will allow a bill changing prevailing wage rates to take effect as law without his signature.

The prevailing wage essentially is a special minimum wage for public works projects. It's determined for each construction trade on a county-by-county basis according to voluntary surveys about wages.

But Republicans claim it leads to artificially high wages in rural areas when union rates get used.

The legislation divides the wage surveys by union and non-union contractors in rural counties, and bases the prevailing wage on whichever group reports more work hours. It also allows prior years' wages to be used when no surveys are returned.

---

Prevailing wage bill is SB34.

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov