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View Full Version : Can someone explain this whole Davis-Bacon Act thing?


Atomic Dog
09-22-2005, 08:59 AM
Davis-Bacon Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis-Bacon_Act)

I only know about it from the blathering I've heard on talk radio. A quick search mostly turned up stuff from union websites, not really any news stories about it.

I don't really see any up sides to it. Would lowering wages increase opportunities to get projects done down in the Gulf region? In theory I guess. My cynical side tells me it's just more money in the pockets of the big contractors, though.

I found mention of a study (http://www.nwlaborpress.org/2002/11-1-02BCT.html) that debunks the notion that the act inflates costs of construction projects, but it's by a nonprofit sponsored by labor unions.

I also came across this (http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec99/cr021199.htm)

This is a particularly choice quote:

In addition to opening up new opportunities in the construction industry for smaller construction firms and their employees, repeal of Davis-Bacon would also return common sense and sound budgeting to federal contracting which is now rife with political favoritism and cronyism.

Ya think?

N8
09-22-2005, 09:12 AM
I work daily with government construction contracts.

Yes, they do inflate construction costs and result in more money for the contractor doing the job.

I also own a construction business which does non-government work.

The price I pay for labor off base is much less (sometimes by 50%) than what we have to pay on base.

Westy
09-22-2005, 09:18 AM
Mmmmm bacon.:drool:

valve bouncer
09-22-2005, 09:53 AM
Mmmmm bacon.:drool: :stupid:
The only surprise here was that this was the second reply not the first. ;)