LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan's Board of State Canvassers has cleared a ballot petition to repeal Michigan's prevailing wage law, setting the stage for lawmakers to vote on veto-proof legislation for it possibly next week.
The board certified the petition Friday, two days after the state Supreme Court struck down a challenge to an appeals court decision ordering certification of the measure.
The 1965 prevailing wage law requires paying the local wage and benefit rate - usually union scale - on state-financed projects. Republicans say the law inflates costs. Union contractors and Democrats say it prevents workers from being paid less.
The bipartisan board deadlocked in April. Democrats voted "no" after opposition raised objections about fraudulent addresses from circulators.
The Republican-controlled Legislature has indicated support for repealing prevailing wage. It has 40 days to do so or it would proceed to the November ballot.
