Don’t limit competition for flood rebuilding

Cedar Rapids and Linn County taxpayers need to be wary of both city and county lawmakers' proposed construction labor policy discussions. Both levels of government are discussing requirements that will restrict competition for flood 2008 rebuilding projects. These actions will likely add costs to the millions of dollars. Don't forget the school rebuilding projects, also.

This area faces its single largest combined public works (rebuilding) program at any one time in history. The ultimate local expenditure and taxes required have yet to be determined. Are there enough qualified local contractors and laborers to do all of the work?

The ruse is the concept of “giving preference to local labor, at prevailing wages and keeping the wages in the community” through Project Labor Agreements.

This is a dangerous precedent. State legislators have debated these issues for years and have never enacted such a state law. Our locals are trying to circumvent these issues.

Certainly, the projects will be funded in large part by federal and state money. But, isn't that just a question of which of our pockets it comes from? We cannot afford the added cost of local legislation requiring prevailing wages or project labor agreements in general.

My opinion comes from my experience as a professional engineer and constructor who practiced in prevailing wage states for four decades.

Jim McElheny

Cedar Rapids