Posted: | February 17, 2016 10:24 AM |
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From: | Senator Ryan P. Aument |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | School Construction Project Labor Agreement Prohibition |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation prohibiting discriminatory project labor agreements on school construction projects. As this Commonwealth continues to find ways to save money and appropriately fund education, this legislation would promote efficiency and competition in public construction contracts. In accordance with this goal, I will be introducing legislation barring the use of Project Labor Agreements on taxpayer-funded school projects. As our school districts continue to adapt to growing communities, it is essential that they provide safe, up-to-date facilities for learning. The Department of Education (PDE) currently lists 58 school construction projects that have received Part H approval for funding under the Planning & Construction Workbook (PlanCon), with another 84 projects awaiting funding approval. In all, these 142 projects represent hundreds of millions of dollars in public, taxpayer funding that will be dedicated to new school construction. By ensuring that the bidding for those projects is as competitive and efficient as possible, we can not only reduce project costs and promote greater fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers that fund these projects. In addition, under the act, it is an unlawful practice for a school district to consider the union/nonunion status of an employer’s workforce in its selection criterion for awarding a construction project. I hope you will consider joining me in support of this legislation. |
Introduced as SB1149