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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 13, 2023 01:48 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Joshua Siegel and Rep. Leanne Krueger, Rep. Steven R. Malagari, Rep. Chris Pielli |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-Sponsorship: Establishing a Statewide Responsible Contractor Law |
| Across our Commonwealth and nation, construction firms are struggling to meet demand for work while lacking a sufficient supply of trained and skilled craft labor. Over the next decade, nearly 40% of all construction workers are expected to retire, all while our infrastructure and critical public works projects demand additional investment and upkeep. Skilled craft labor is in high demand and in short supply. Fortunately, Pennsylvania can lead the way in using its purchasing power to create economic opportunity, expand workforce development, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure accountability in the procurement process. We can do this by enacting a statewide responsible contractor law, which is what our legislation will do. Our bill will establish clear requirements that firms bidding on publicly funded infrastructure projects must meet. This includes requiring that they have a state or federal registered apprenticeship program and pay prevailing rate. A statewide responsible contractor law will make a historic investment in our Commonwealth, ensuring we have the skilled craft labor to build for the future and ensure public safety during construction projects. A fully skilled workforce allows personnel to find multiple opportunities for work, and a state-sponsored investment in apprenticeships encourages employers to maintain those investments even in market downturns. We are asking you to join us in making this historic investment in our Commonwealth’s workforce and economy. Help protect taxpayers from unreliable and deceptive contractors that underinvest and mistreat their workers while creating jobs for skilled workers. We thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Takesha Latham in Rep. Krueger’s office at tlatham@pahouse.net. |
Introduced as HB1449