Facing Historic Economic Crisis, Unshackle Upstate Urges Albany to Reject Proposed Prevailing Wage Expansion

March 24th, 2020

ALBANY, NY – As the state grapples with the current COVID-19 crisis, Unshackle Upstate is raising concerns about a proposal to expand the state’s costly prevailing wage mandates to private construction. The New York State Legislature is currently pushing legislation that would dramatically restrict New York’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.

“As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, New York’s economy is facing unprecedented challenges,” said Unshackle Upstate executive director Michael Kracker. “Businesses are closing their doors, unemployment is rising and local communities are hurting. Recovering from this crisis and rebuilding our economy will require unwavering support from our state government.Unfortunately, leaders in Albany are using this crisis as an opportunity to expand the state’s costly prevailing wage mandates – a move that would put special interests ahead of our state’s economic recovery. These mandates drive up the cost of doing business and hurt economic growth – particularly in Upstate.”

With just days remaining before the state’s budget deadline, lawmakers are considering a prevailing wage proposal that would drive up the cost of private construction projects. According to a recent study conducted by the Weitzman Group, an expanded prevailing wage mandate will increase private construction costs by an average of 30%. 

“Now more than ever, we need our leaders in Albany to protect jobs and support businesses any way they can. Lawmakers can start by rejecting an expanded prevailing wage mandate in the upcoming state budget.”

Unshackle Upstate recently issued a memo in opposition to the proposed expansion of the state’s prevailing wage mandates.