Georgia Becomes the 16th State to Ban Government-Mandated PLAs on Public Construction Projects
On May 6, 2013, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed S.B. 179, which will prohibit government entities in the state from requiring contractors to sign a project labor agreement (PLA) or other agreements with labor unions as a condition of performing work on public construction projects. This new law will ensure that taxpayers get the best [...]
Gov. Christie Poised to Take Action on PLA Expansion Legislation
Last week, the New Jersey Senate ended its legislative recess. This procedural move forces Gov. Chris Christie (R) to sign or veto legislation in the next couple of days that would greatly expand the ability of public entities to require contractors to sign wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreements (PLAs) as a condition of performing [...]
North Dakota Becomes the 15th State to Ban PLA Mandates on State and Local Construction Projects
On April 8, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) signed H.B. 1270, which will ban government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on state and local construction projects. In addition, this new law will prohibit government entities from requiring the use of a PLA as a condition of receiving public financing or assistance for construction projects. Although [...]
Maine Gov. Paul LePage Criticizes Private PLA Mandate
Last week, Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) strongly came out against a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate proposed by Summit Natural Gas on the Kennebec Valley natural gas project, which is slated to cost more than $100 million. Gov. LePage’s office released a statement on March 21. Here are the highlights: Governor Expresses [...]
Georgia General Assembly Passes PLA Reform Legislation
The Georgia General Assembly last week enacted project labor agreement (PLA) reform legislation with just over 20 minutes left in the 2013 legislative session. The bill will now go to Gov. Nathan Deal (R) for his signature or veto. Merit shop advocates believe he will sign the legislation into law. In addition to banning government-mandated [...]
Buckeye Taxpayer Victory: Lorain City Council Repeals PLA Mandate
Here is an update to a story we followed in 2011. Ohio’s Lorain City Council voted March 7 to repeal a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate for all city construction projects. It was replaced by a measure requiring contractors to comply with a workforce participation plan that includes a local hire mandate of 25 percent. City leaders [...]
PLA Video: The Negative Impact of a PLA Mandate on the Proposed California High-Speed Rail Project
Merit shop advocate Eric Christen from the Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction (CFEC) lays out the facts to LA-area Fox affiliate KKTV about the negative impact of a PLA mandated on the proposed high-speed rail project in California.
PLA Reform Legislation Poised to Pass in Georgia
Legislation to ban government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) in Georgia is poised to be considered by the state Senate this week, before the legislature adjourns for 2013. This legislation could block a potential PLA mandate on the construction of the new Atlanta Falcons’ stadium.
Americans for Prosperity Video Outlines the Negative Impact of PLA Mandates
A new must see video produced by the California Chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) outlines the negative impact of PLA mandates on taxpayers and the construction industry.
You can also view the AFP of California website here.
Georgia Open Competition for Public Contracting Language Still Alive
Despite a setback last week, a bill in Georgia containing language to ban government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) and other requirements that force contractors to abide by Big Labor’s demands as a condition of being awarded taxpayer-funded construction projects could be on the move. If enacted, this language would prevent PLA mandates in Georgia – [...]