Today is the first day of bill filing for the 2017 session of the Missouri General Assembly. Organized labor has a big target painted on it for the new legislative session in the General Assembly. But, we already knew that.

….Prevailing wage laws protect communities and workers from unscrupulous contractors low-balling bids on taxpayer-funded construction projects by setting wage rates to the local or prevailing standard….

Four bills limiting or repealing prevailing wage, all sponsored by republicans, were filed today:

HB 44
Prohibits the Missouri Housing Development Commission from requiring a prevailing hourly wage to be paid to a contractor on a project for a housing tax credit if it is in a Governor-declared disaster area
Sponsor: White, Bill (161)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2017
LR Number: 0155H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2016 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 44
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

Does that include Kansas? Just asking.

HB 78  
Allows public bodies to opt out of prevailing wage laws for the construction of public works projects that are $750,000 or less
Sponsor: McGaugh, Joe Don (039)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2017
LR Number: 0385H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2016 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 78
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

HB 79
Establishes the School Construction Act, which exempts construction and maintenance work done for certain school districts from the prevailing wage requirement upon the school board’s approval
Sponsor: McGaugh, Joe Don (039)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2017
LR Number: 0386H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2016 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 79
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

HB 104
Repeals provisions relating to prevailing wages on public works
Sponsor: Love, Warren (125)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2017
LR Number: 0069H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2016 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 104
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

Rep. Warren D. Love, a Republican, represents Hickory, St. Clair and parts of Benton and Cedar counties (District 125). He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012.

In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Love is a rancher, restaurant owner, and carpenter-contractor….

[emphasis added]

Well, that certainly explains it.

Previously:

HB 42 and HB 91: right to get paid less rears its ugly head – again (December 1, 2016)