Senate leader looks at suspending wage laws in wake of natural disasters
The interior of a home damaged by the May 22 tornado that touched down in Joplin. Photo courtesy of Kevin J. Hunt.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In what is surely to be one of many bills introduced in the coming legislative session related to the plethora of natural disasters that impacted Missouri this year, the leader of the Senate has pre-filed a bill that would suspend prevailing wage laws in disaster areas.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Robert Mayer, R-Dexter, would suspend for five years laws that require government infrastructure workers a wage that is equal to what the majority of other area workers performing a similar task are paid.
The suspension of prevailing wage laws – a legal mandate that dates back to the Great Depression – would apply only in areas that have been declared a disaster by the Governor and would include areas effected by the Joplin Tornado and the massive flood events along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers earlier this year.
With the state General Assembly not set to return until the first week in January, it is unclear what kind of support this government cost saving measure will have during a year in which lawmakers will likely make significant cuts in government programs to balance the state budget.
This is not the only bill that has been pre-filed so far this month related to the multiple disasters Missouri faced in 2011. Last week a state representative filed a bill that would create an income tax break for families that choose to construct storm shelters.
Related posts:
- Missouri unemployment flat in May, despite natural disasters
- Senate considers business friendly change to state’s minimum wage law
- Missouri minimum wage battle could be on the horizon for 2012
- Senate leader moves for conference on Mo. jobs bill
- Senate Passes Stricter Abortion Laws, Combined Education Board Proposal
Posted by Tim Sampson on December 7, 2011. Filed under Business.
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