Gov. Scott Walker's budget will cost Wisconsin jobs, veterans say

MADISON – Veterans urged Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday to reverse course on his plan to end setting minimum salaries for construction workers who build publicly funded projects.

“This is about fairness for veterans who have served our country nobly,” said David Kurtz, adjutant of the Wisconsin American Legion. “The loss of 2,000 jobs...won’t go unnoticed.”

Kurtz spoke at a Capitol news conference alongside more than two dozen veterans who said repealing the prevailing wage law would result in the loss of good-paying jobs that tend to attract veterans.

In response, a Walker spokesman argued the governor's plan would save taxpayers money and give veterans and others more opportunities for jobs.

The state’s prevailing wage law requires government contractors to pay road builders and construction workers minimum salaries that typically match union wages.

Walker and his fellow Republicans scaled back that law in 2015, and Walker included a provision in the state budget this month that would eliminate what remains of it. Legislators will consider the budget through the summer.

A study last year by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute estimated 2,000 veterans would leave the construction industry because of the changes to the prevailing wage law that have already been made.

Opponents of the prevailing wage law argue it artificially sets high wages at taxpayer expense. The state, schools and local governments would save money without the law, they argue.

Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor is a champion of veterans and repealing the prevailing wage law would help taxpayers.

"Reducing costs will allow the state to continue investing in projects and programs that will create jobs for all workers, including our veterans," Evenson said by email.