If the state of Virginia built a similarly designed school as Wicomico County's proposed new Bennett Middle School, it would cost $11 million less than what we will pay in Maryland. Why? Virginia pays a "competitive wage" rate for such projects, while our state government mandates a much higher rate, called "union prevailing wage."
Therefore, we Wicomico County taxpayers have the privilege of forking over $73 million for the new BMS rather than $62 million.
The Wicomico County Council, for the benefit of its citizens, should courageously lead an effort to waive this "union prevailing wage" rate requirement for the BMS project. In pursuit of this waiver, it should rally support from our county executive and our Eastern Shore state delegation.
Governors, such as Chris Christie of New Jersey and Scott Walker of Wisconsin, have caught the attention of the entire nation with their successful battles with unions in lowering their states' costs. Maybe our County Council, by fighting for this waiver, might ignite a statewide movement to stand against the unreasonable costly demands of unions.
Even if our council fails in this effort, it will expose to voters those elected state representatives who are more interested in wastefully pandering to unions rather than lowering the cost of government for their constituents.
Joe Ollinger
Salisbury
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
6 comments:
You left out NOT adding $5.00 to every existing tax(hidden or apparent) and licensing fee known to mankind!
Joe, you pose a valid point. Can we affirm that our BOE cannot be blamed for this additional expense for BMS and JMB? May I also ask, has our county leadership "played nice" enough with our state politicians to achieve such a feat? Joe O, you are correct that a change in "union prevailing wage" is in the better interest of our tax payers and would employ more local workers. However, considering the recent battle by our conservative leaders against MOE funding and the on-going debate regarding the revenue cap, can we as a community be sure that our council has the political clout to open this can? Joe O, is it your opinion or the opinion of this blog's readers that if our council speaks up, legislator's at the state would listen?
A knee jerk statement to the general public. Tradesmen are highly skilled and well paid for their training. There are many jobs for skilled certified workers with excellent wages. Unfortunately our local elected officials have run all of the major contractors and suppliers out of town by making the area unfriendly to business.Unfortunately the skilled workers have left to go to high paying jobs. Traveling workers will take their place for the project all highly trained and skilled, outside suppliers will provide materials. But keep in mind that these people will spend money in our restaurants, buy bait,and cars, pay rent and put a portion of their wages into the local economy. Not to mention they pay taxes on the money earned here. Not the best of course but until our officials decide that bickering over who will manage a budget is more important than attracting business we are between a rock and hard spot.
You realize your in Maryland where special interest groups and unions flourish here.They would never lower the wages or cut business fees to help anyone but themselves.
We could have saved all the money if Pollitt had the spine to stand up to the teacher's union! Don't blame skilled labor for this mess- they are just construction folks lucky enough to still be working in this terrible eastern shore economy!
If you want to know the real truth is MD Wage scales are not half as bad as Delaware. In Delaware alot of trades make $40-$70 per hour!! IN MD it is $20-$40 HR . It is still high.
Let the market bear it own labor rate.
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