Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia: An Economic Examination of West Virginia’s Prevailing Wage Law | ABC Academy & GA Articles
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Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia: An Economic Examination of West Virginia’s Prevailing Wage Law

The Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia on Feb. 16, 2009, released a study that concludes West Virginia's average state prevailing wage rate is at least 49 percent, and as high as 74 percent (using adjusted figures), above West Virginia's true market prevailing wage in the construction industry. The study also found that as many as 1,500 more jobs could be created if West Virginia's prevailing wage law were repealed or reformed to reflect actual market wages. 

“An Economic Examination of West Virginia’s Prevailing Wage Law” recommends full repeal of the West Virginia prevailing wage law. Short of repeal, the study makes four recommendations to improve state prevailing wage requirements: (1) change the method of establishing prevailing wage rates so that they better reflect true prevailing local market rates; (2) mandate that new methodology by law; (3) create exemptions to the prevailing wage for small contracts; and (4) create exemptions to the prevailing wage for schools.

Read the report: An Economic Examination of West Virginia’s Prevailing Wage Law



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