(AP) The Republican-controlled state Senate has approved a bill that could save taxpayers money on public school construction projects by cutting the wages of workers.
Most construction projects on Kentucky public schools over $250,000, including K-12 and colleges and universities, must pay workers a predetermined wage based on a survey of similar projects. Republicans say the law unnecessarily inflates costs, making taxpayer-funded projects more expensive than those in the private sector. But Democrats say the law ensures the jobs attract trained, skilled workers for buildings used by children and other students.
The bill is the first to pass the Senate of an ambitious Republican agenda that includes abortion restrictions, limiting the influence of labor unions and removing the names of county clerks from marriage licenses to accommodate those opposed to same-sex marriage.