This Week in Harrisburg

The House Labor and Industry Committee began a series of public hearings in State College this week to address proposed changes to the state’s Prevailing Wage Law. The outdated law requires municipalities and school districts to pay the “prevailing minimum wage” to workers on public construction projects, which often results in higher costs and a greater burden for taxpayers. The hearing featured testimony from local government officials and union representatives and specifically addressed two prevailing wage reform bills. House Bill 796 would increase the prevailing wage threshold from $25,000 to $100,000 for public projects, and House Bill 665 would make it clear that the law would not apply to road repair projects. Additional hearings will take place around the state over the next month. 

Another House committee held hearings this week in western Pennsylvania to address the issues of economic development and transportation infrastructure. Members of the Appropriations Committee are focused on promoting economic growth through investment in roads and bridges. The hearings featured testimony from stakeholders representing infrastructure and business. Lawmakers aim to continue work on crafting a comprehensive transportation infrastructure funding plan when session resumes in the fall.  

The state Department of Health has reported the first probable cases of West Nile virus this year in Montgomery and York counties. More than half of the state’s 67 counties have collected mosquito samples which test positive for the virus, including Lehigh and Northampton counties. State officials strongly urge residents to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes to prevent the disease from spreading. Learn more here.  

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