Update from Annapolis
"Free State" Should Not Have To Reject Low Bids on Construction

March 20, 2009

Dear Friends,

With a $500 million shortfall looming for the next fiscal year, state budget leaders are cutting millions from highway and education spending.

Unfortunately, they are ignoring a solution that would wipe out a huge part of our pending deficit. Simply put, we should get rid of current law that forces the state to pay "prevailing wage" on eligible public works projects.

Maryland's prevailing wage law prohibits the state from awarding contracts on these projects to the lowest bidder. Instead, contractors working on public works projects must pay "prevailing wages," in effect, union scale. Not only does this expensive state mandate get passed along to the taxpayer, but it makes construction and repair of highways and schools much more costly, limiting the number of projects that can be funded.

I co-sponsored a bill to get rid of this burdensome law. Unfortunately, the Administration and several legislators are seeking to expand prevailing wage mandates to cover even more projects and workers.

Just like the private sector, the "Free State" should be free to award contracts to those who will deliver the best quality for the best price.

For more information on General Assembly issues, you may want to read the Legislative Wrap-Up, prepared by the state Department of Legislative Services every Friday.

Note from Susan:
I am dedicated to being your voice in Annapolis as we work toward better roads, schools and jobs, and also a reduced tax burden.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or ideas you may have. My legislative aide, Linda Schmuck, and I are always happy to help.

Contact Information
Susan W. Krebs
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 324
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3200
susan.krebs@house.state.md.us