Craig W. Turner, vice president of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership writes in a Buffalo News op-ed - ” Is it worth paying increased utility costs so that elected representatives can secure the support of New York City unions in an election year? With Albany’s hands already deep in your pockets, are you willing to invest even more in politically motivated, anti-business regulations?

The New York State Senate recently passed legislation that would mandate utility companies to pay “prevailing wage” to service workers. That’s not for regular employees, who generally already exist under collective bargaining agreements, but for vendors (i. e. janitors, guards, maintenance workers, caterers). Estimates say this legislation would cost utility companies more than $50 million to implement — costs that would be passed on to business and residential consumers.

Prevailing wage mandates are debated regularly statewide. They require union wages specific to various occupations to be paid, typically on government- funded projects. Albany special interests, however, continue to push for these requirements on contracts with any link to government, such as economic development incentives, permits or leases. Unfortunately, the wage rates are often high enough that they strangle employers. Since prevailing wage generally has a government connection, it’s the taxpayer who picks up the cost.”

To read the rest of the op-ed click here.