Legislature’s Agenda This Week Includes Prevailing Wage, Speed Limits

It could be busy week at the state Capitol, starting Tuesday with a public hearing on a bill to repeal Wisconsin’s prevailing wage.

Republican Sen. Steve Nass called for the hearing, even though GOP leadership said a repeal of prevailing wage would not happen this session. The law sets wages for government construction projects based on a survey of employers.

Republicans like Nass, who want the law gone, believe it artificially inflates wages. Other Republicans say they’re leery that lowering wages would hurt Wisconsin’s construction industry.

Nass wants to move fast on the bill and has already scheduled a committee vote for Thursday.

Also this week, the Legislature’s budget committee has scheduled votes on several issues, including Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to end state taxpayer funding for state parks. The full state Senate is also meeting, and is expected to sign off on raising Wisconsin’s maximum speed limit to 70 mph.