Associated Press Published

W.Va. Senate GOP Says Deal Struck on Prevailing Wage Changes

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State Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael says there’s a tentative deal to scale back the state’s prevailing wage.

The Jackson County Republican said Wednesday the agreement would avoid repealing the wage for public construction projects. Republicans have proposed the repeal.

Carmichael said one provision would remove the wage’s calculation from the state Division of Labor.

Instead, Workforce West Virginia would calculate it, along with West Virginia University and Marshall University economics specialists.

The wage would be reported to lawmakers to approve the methodology.

Carmichael said projects less than $500,000 wouldn’t be subject to the wage.

Steve White, Affiliated Construction Trades director, said it’s promising there will be a deal, but the devil’s in the details.

After delays and behind-the-scene negotiations, the bill is slated for amendments and a vote Thursday.