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Lawmakers return for first session day of 2018

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Lawmakers at the state Capitol are gearing up for a fight over the so-called “prevailing wage.”

Prevailing wage is a state law that requires workers to get paid union-rate wages for state construction projects.

There’s currently a proposal in front of the Board of State Canvassers to get rid of the law. If it approves the measure, the Legislature would have the chance to make it law without the governor’s signature.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof wants to get rid of prevailing wage. He says if the proposal gets put in front of the Legislature, the Senate will vote on it.

“I want to save the taxpayers money. That’s what I want to do. It’s their money.”

Supporters of prevailing wage say it make sure workers are paid fairly.