Hedrick Opposes Repeal Of Common Construction Wage

Monday, April 13, 2015 at 7:28 AM

By Mike Perleberg

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Greendale mayor Doug Hedrick is among 27 mayors from across Indiana asking state lawmakers to kill a proposal to repeal the common construction wage law. House Bill 1019 seeks to eliminate local boards that set wages for publicly funded construction projects costing $350,00 or more. The bill is set to go to the full Indiana Senate this week, but must pass by Wednesday's deadline for approval of bills in both the House and Senate. Supporters of repeal say it would save taxpayer dollars on public projects, however, a coalition of Indiana mayors says that scrapping the law would put the safety and well-being of construction workers and their families in Indiana at risk. "The current common construction wage system in Indiana is working. It places an emphasis on safety, training, getting the job done right the first time, and it provides fair and livable wages for the men and women who dedicate themselves to projects that strengthen our communities. The current structure also assists in keeping Indiana construction jobs in Indiana and gives local control to cities and towns that know the needs of their communities’ best," the mayors wrote in an open letter. The mayors signing a letter to lawmakers include: Dick Hickman, Angola; Dennis Buckley, Beech Grove; Mark Kruzan, Bloomington; Ted Ellis, Bluffton; David Uran, Crown Point; John Shultz, Decatur; Dick Moore, Elkhart; Lloyd Winnecke, Evansville; Karen Freeman-Wilson, Gary; Allan Kauffman, Goshen; Sue Murray, Greencastle; Doug Hedrick, Greendale; Brian Snedecor, Hobart; Brooks Fetters, Huntington; Roy Terrell, Sr., Jasonville; Greg Goodnight, Kokomo; Dean Jessup, Lawrence; John Wilkes, Linton; Ron Meer, Michigan City; James Snyder, Portage; Sally Hutton, Richmond; Harold Goffinet, Rockport; Pete Buttigieg, South Bend; Vernon Testruth, Southport; Clint Lamb, Sullivan; Jon Costas, Valparaiso; and Joe Yochum, Vincennes. A rally against HB 1019 is planned for Monday at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. RELATED STORIES: Indiana Common Construction Wage Repeal Nears Passage