Everyone’s Missing the Point: Prevailing Wage Plan Screws Taxpayers

Governor Hochul is considering a plan expand prevailing wage laws in New York that is a taxpayer disaster. These rules force contractors to pay inflated, union-level wages on projects like brownfield cleanups or concrete hauling, potentially doubling labor costs. By paying more than market rates, Hochul would breach her fiduciary responsibility to New York taxpayers, squandering public funds. Competitive bidding could save millions, but instead, we’re stuck with bloated contracts that stall projects or jack up taxes, all to please political allies like unions.

Advocates like State Sen. Pete Harckham claim prevailing wages attract skilled labor, speed up projects, and boost local economies—typical liberal nonsense with zero economic grounding. First, attracting skilled labor? The free market already does that; tying wages to union rates often excludes the best workers, as union membership doesn’t guarantee top talent. Second, speeding up projects? No evidence supports this—restricting labor choices slows projects by limiting access to available workers. Third, boosting local economies? Pure fiction. Overpaying for labor, like any cronyism, benefits a select few while hurting the broader state and local economies by wasting resources that could fund more projects or lower taxes.

Prevailing wages don’t just inflate costs—they choke progress. By favoring big, unionized contractors, these rules block smaller firms, killing competition. In New York, some cleanup projects have been stalled for over a decade, partly due to sky-high costs. Forcing taxpayers to overpay for labor isn’t smart—it’s reckless.

The plan put to Hochul prioritizes political favors over fiscal responsibility, leaving taxpayers footing the bill for delayed infrastructure and higher costs. Taxpayers deserve leaders who focus on efficiency and accountability, not political handouts that leave us holding the bag.