FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
January 30, 2012 vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com
VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT BILL
PLAs
Are "Cost-Efficient" And "An Important Tool To Protect The
Interests Of Taxpayers"
Richmond - Today, the Virginia House
of Delegates voted to give approval on second reading to HB 33. This bill is
intended to prohibit Virginia and recipients of state funding from using project
labor agreements (PLAs).
HB 33 has a total of 66 patrons,
all of whom caucus with the Republican party. The chief patrons are Del. Barbara
Comstock (R-Fairfax), Del. Timothy Hugo (R-Fairfax), and Del. David Ramadan (R-Loudoun).
The Progressive Caucus released
its 2012 agenda this month, including the policy goal of opposing "bills
attacking Project Labor Agreements, which lower costs and improve quality and
performance." The Progressive Caucus strongly opposes HB 33.
"This legislation will tie
Virginia's hands and prevent us from ever using an important tool to protect
the interests of taxpayers," said Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria). "The
HOT Lanes project has been proceeding with a Project Labor Agreement in place,
and it's on time, on budget, with no cost overruns, and no fatalities or major injuries.
The Mixing Bowl project had no Project Labor Agreement, and it was delayed, met
very few project deadlines, was 100 percent over budget, had $350 million in
cost overruns, three fatalities, and several major injuries. Anyone who cares
about protecting the interests of taxpayers and ensuring major projects proceed
safely and efficiently should oppose this bill to deny Virginia the ability to
use this important tool."
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