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

Joe Don McGaugh (r) [2016 file photo].

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)