Walker Calls Full Repeal Of Prevailing Wage ‘Preferable’ To Tweaking Law

Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday he would rather the Legislature completely repeal Wisconsin’s prevailing wage law instead of just changing it.

Until recently, Walker had taken a hands-off approach when it came to the internal GOP argument over Wisconsin’s prevailing wage for government construction projects. But under intense scrutiny from conservative media, including the Wall Street Journal editorial page, Walker now says a full repeal of prevailing wage “makes sense.”

“We’re trying to make sure a number of our other priorities are in place, so there’s a lot of moving pieces. But in the end, I think that would be the preferable route,” said Walker.

Republican legislative leaders say they personally favor a repeal of prevailing wage, but that the idea does not have the votes to pass the full Legislature. They plan to introduce smaller changes in the budget.

Democrats say the law should be left alone and that a repeal would “sell out” Wisconsin workers.