Congressman Darrell Issa Confronts Deval Patrick on Stimulus Wa$te

"The least expensive cost" ??? (0.00 / 0)

Obviously the congressman is not from around here is he?

I love Patrick's dodgy responses...."I don't know that"..."It assumes facts not in evidence".  Our own Governor doesn't know we pay higher than federal prevailing wage ?  Come on....What a load of bull

Follow me on twitter @garyrlake

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by: garyrlake @ Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 19:05:04 PM CDT

Deval Patrick came off like a total buffoon.... (0.00 / 0)

I love it that Deval got up and left the room to find out what is happening in his own state.  He reminds me of the kid in school that doesn't do his homework assignment, and when called upon in class proceeds to tell the teacher he left it in his locker.  "Let me go get it" - never to return.

I hope Deval Patrick is called upon to make good on his promise of confirming the details of the higher wages.  I hope he has to march is sorry *ss back to Washington and sit down in front of Cong Issa once again and offer a response.  

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by: Vote3rdpartynow @ Thu Jul 16, 2009 at 07:57:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Davis Bacon and State Prevailing Wage Laws (0.00 / 0)

Federal Prevailing Wage Law

The federal Davis Bacon and Related Acts require that all contractors and subcontractors performing on federal contracts (and contractors or subcontractors performing on federally assisted contracts under the related Acts) in excess of $2,000 pay their laborers and mechanics not less than the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, for corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on similar projects in the area.

Apprentices and trainees may be employed at less than predetermined rates. Apprentices must be employed pursuant to an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor or with a state apprenticeship agency recognized by the Department. Trainees must be employed pursuant to a training program certified by the Department.

Contractors and subcontractors on prime contracts in excess of $100,000 are also required, pursuant to the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, to pay employees one and one-half times their basic rates of pay for all hours over 40 worked on covered contract work in a workweek.

Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law

The Massachusetts prevailing wage laws require that employees on public works projects, except those who perform strictly supervisory functions, be paid a minimum hourly rate set by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Occupational Safety (DOS). The prevailing wage rate applies to all public construction contracts, regardless of the estimated price of the project.

The Attorney General's Office enforces these laws. DOS issues the rates for each project and determines which rates apply to which classifications. Prevailing wage rates are set by DOS based upon the rates established in local collective bargaining contracts. DOS also determines whether the prevailing wage applies to a given public works project.

Apprentices can be used if the contractor is participating in an apprenticeship program which is approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Training, and the apprentices are registered with the Division. The maximum ratio of apprentices to journeymen is supplied by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development when the prevailing wage rates are issues.

An employer may deduct any contribution made by the employer on an employee's behalf to a bona fide pension, health and welfare or supplemental unemployment fund. An employer may contribute to such plans and deduct for the contribution even if the employee does not wish to participate.

All contractors and sub-contractors are required to file certified payroll records directly with the awarding authority on a weekly basis. These records must contain accurate information detailing each employee's name, address, occupational classification, hours worked and wages paid. The records must be certified and signed by the contractor or agent under the pains and penalties of perjury. All contractors and sub-contractors must submit the records directly to the awarding authority every week.

The Massachusetts law requires that contractors post prevailing wage rates in a conspicuous place on all public construction sites. Prevailing wage rates are set for each individual project, and may vary. To obtain a copy of the rates for a particular job, contact the awarding authority and ask for the prevailing wage rate schedule.

http://builtbest.org/frequentl...

Helps to understand what you are commenting on.

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by: Striker57 @ Sun Jul 19, 2009 at 11:53:39 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Prevailing Wage Economic Impact (0.00 / 0)

These studies have found that prevailing wage laws can enhance state tax revenues, industry income, and non-wage benefits for workers; lower future maintenance and repair costs; reduce occupational injuries and fatalities; and increase the pool of skilled construction workers-to the benefit of both the public and the construction industry.

Read the full report at:

http://www.epi.org/publication...

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by: Striker57 @ Sun Jul 19, 2009 at 11:56:14 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

As I mentioned on Blue Mass Group (0.00 / 0)

I am not advocating the repeal of Davis Bacon, nor the Massachusetts Prevailing wage law in principle. I am asking that we take a look at how we in Massachusetts calculate the prevailing wage law.  We should be calculating it based ont he same formula that the Federal Government uses, not the formula that we in Massachusetts use.  It would save our commonwealth untold millions if not billions over time.

In addition I find your premise on the whole faulty.  New Hampshire for instance has no prevailing wage law. Ask anybody that lives in a border town with New Hampshire, who has better roads and bridges, Massachusetts or New Hampshire.  I would venture to say that most if not all would say New Hampshire.  And while I'm not advocating for the elimination of the prevailing wage, the fact is New Hampshire does not have one, and those projects are built without one.

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by: Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 04:42:00 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you for making my point (4.00 / 1)

The Attorney General's Office enforces these laws. DOS issues the rates for each project and determines which rates apply to which classifications. Prevailing wage rates are set by DOS based upon the rates established in local collective bargaining contracts. DOS also determines whether the prevailing wage applies to a given public works project.

In essence the unions dictate the wage and non-union labor cannot compete. This coupled with the "Project Labor Agreement" effectively shuts out competition and drives up costs. Union coffers are enriched and then they spend that money to elect favored politicians and the cycle begins anew.  This must stop, it is unsustainable.

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by: Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 11:38:30 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Great Job! (0.00 / 0)

This is why every state needs checks and balances.I can't believe it took a congressmen from California to call out our governor.

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by: RFlynn @ Thu Jul 16, 2009 at 06:16:22 AM CDT

What specifically would you cut? (0.00 / 0)

This is the line the Democrats like to use against the GOP whenever we talk about controlling spending.  "Moderators" and media people use it all the time.  To be fair, they should.  It's a perfectly legitimate question to ask.

This is a perfect answer to that question.  It saves a boatload of money.  It saves it every year after you make the rule change, it's not a one shot deal.  It results in zero cuts in actual services, only cuts in the costs of those services.

Nice job.

"Victory is Mine!" - Stewart Gilligan Griffin.

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by: Mike "DD4RP" Rossettie @ Thu Jul 16, 2009 at 07:49:52 AM CDT

Right now Red Head Republican is cutting the #!$% out of this vid N/T (0.00 / 0)

Help rebuild the MA GOP - Defeat Baker/Tisei!

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by: Republican Ram Rod Radio @ Fri Jul 17, 2009 at 08:26:23 AM CDT

Boston Herald & MassGOP State Senate Blog (4.00 / 1)

Here is the first line from an article in today's Boston Herald:

Gov. Deval Patrick got a bit of a dressing down in Washington last week courtesy of Republican California Congressman Darrell Issa.

http://www.bostonherald.com/ne...

Then the article goes on to state:

A link to the entire six-minute exchange is posted at the state GOP blog scalingthehill.com.

http://www.bostonherald.com/ne...

I'm thrilled to see that the Boston Herald gives our MassGOP State Senate blog a read!

Of course, thanks need to go to our own RMG as scalingthehill.com wrote:

Well said, Congressman. And kudos to RedMassGroup for bringing this to light.

http://www.scalingthehill.com/...

You've go to love the synergy between the official MassGOP legislative blogs & our own conservative activist RMG!  Thanks to the Boston Herald for giving both the attentio & consideration that they deserve.

"Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life." - Walt Disney

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by: BNCordeiro @ Sun Jul 19, 2009 at 05:53:45 AM CDT

Picked up by the Herald (0.00 / 0)

http://www.bostonherald.com/ne...

Gov. Deval Patrick got a bit of a dressing down in Washington last week courtesy of Republican California Congressman Darrell Issa.

During a hearing on state stimulus spending, Issa accused Massachusetts of "wasting" tax dollars by paying laborers $17 higher than federal prevailing wages. Citing a published report, Issa said Massachusetts blew $141 million and lost out on the creation of 1,500 jobs by paying the higher salaries.

"Victory is Mine!" - Stewart Gilligan Griffin.

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by: Mike "DD4RP" Rossettie @ Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 07:07:51 AM CDT