The City of Mankato is not coming up with anything new. The state and federal governments both recognize the benefits of prevailing wage and that is why it is law on their projects. Prevailing wage brings more money back into the community that is paying the taxes. Local workers raising families in our community have a living wage to shop and patronize local businesses and merchants That money in turn circulates though out the community. More people benefit from the tax dollars. These are good jobs that will not be out-sourced to a different county. Prevailing wage has enjoyed bi-partisan support. While Davis and Bacon were both Republican authors of the first bill, prevailing wage is supported by both Sen. Norm Coleman (R) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D).

There has been some discussion about prevailing wage costing more money. In the neutral reports from the state auditor and those from universities that has not been shown to be the case. In fact I have spoken to one city councilman (that has prevailing wage in their community) that costs have dropped due to increased competition. There are reports commissioned by contractors and their trade group that try to tell a different story. Sort of like the smoking reports commissioned by Phillip-Morris.

I was grateful to see that almost 40 percent of the contractors contacted still said prevailing wage was a good idea for the good of our community. My hat is off to them for looking out for what is best for Mankato as a whole.