Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons (R) Jan. 3 provided a huge boost to the state’s merit shop construction industry, as well as the state’s taxpayers, when he signed an executive order revoking a prior executive order requiring the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) on state construction contracts.

 

In the executive order, Gibbons stressed that the state has “an obligation to all Nevadans to ensure that tax dollars are used economically, efficiently and in a non-discriminatory manner,” noting that this goal is met “through a process that ensures open and fair competition for state construction projects.”

 

The executive order noted that “promoting open and fair competition on the bidding and awarding of state construction projects will: allow the state to utilize the best contractor for the job at hand; expand job opportunities, particularly for small and disadvantaged businesses; advance free competition as a way of doing business in Nevada; and reduce construction costs and therefore save taxpayer dollars.”

 

ABC’s Las Vegas and Sierra Nevada’s chapters played a major role in securing the executive order revoking the PLA mandate. ABC members from both chapters personally met with the governor and his staff to request the revocation. Additionally, Nevada state Senator Warren Hardy, president of ABC’s Las Vegas chapter, sat down with the governor to discuss the executive order.

 

“This is a great victory for merit shop construction and taxpayers across the state of Nevada,” said Clara Andriola, president of ABC’s Sierra Nevada chapter. “ABC members were absolutely vital in securing this executive order. By a single stroke of his pen, Governor Gibbons has helped to ensure that Nevadans’ tax dollars are being spent economically and without discrimination.”

 

For more information, contact Warren Hardy at ABC’s Las Vegas chapter, whardy@abclasvegas.org, or Clara Andriola at ABC’s Sierra Nevada chapter, clara@abcsierranv.org.