This week's column is admittedly shorter than normal, not because of a lack of significant action this week, but rather because it took the whole week to finish one piece of legislation. While that may sound ridiculous and maddening, in reality it is the result of the natural, deliberative function of the Senate. Our founding fathers designed the Senate this way because it should not be easy and quick to pass legislation.
Senate Bill 182, sponsored by Sen. Bob Onder, tackles the unfair practice of union-only Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public projects. Union-only PLAs require political subdivisions to award contracts for public projects only to union contractors or contractors who agree to union demands. PLAs limit competition and increase costs (18 percent more on average) on projects such as schools and libraries. SB182 allows both union and non-union contractors to bid on projects so that taxpayers get the greatest value for their investment.
I support SB182 because I understand the value of competition in the free market. Guidelines established by politicians should not eliminate competition at the outset of public projects. If both union and non-union shops are able to bid on projects, then taxpayers can be better assured that they are getting the best value, measured in terms of both quality and overall price, for their money. The value of the service provided, not whether the provider is union or non-union, should be the determining factor in awarding contracts for public projects.
In addition to finishing refinements on SB182, the Senate also gave its advice and consent to five members of the governor's new cabinet. Confirmed Thursday were Sarah Steelman (commissioner, Office of Administration), Chris Chinn (director, Department of Agriculture), Anne Precythe (director, Department of Corrections), Drew Juden (director, Department of Public Safety) and Carol Comer (director, Department of Natural Resources). I have met with each of these newly confirmed directors multiple times, I am confident that they will be excellent in these roles, and I was glad to vote in support of each of them. In the coming weeks I look forward to meeting and interviewing additional members of the governor's cabinet.
State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, represents the 6th District.