Wisconsin-Report

Americans for Prosperity, “Today, Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin is announcing the launch of a new mail and radio
campaign thanking legislators for their hard work in repealing the prevailing wage requirement for local government and for
passing a responsible state budget that trimmed new state borrowing to the lowest levels in 20 years.”
[AmericansForProsperity.org, 7/21/15]
Capital Times: AFP-WI Was One Of The Sponsors Of A Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance Study That “Found Flaws
In The Way The State’s Prevailing Wages Are Calculated.” According to The Capital Times, “[Rep. Rob] Hutton cited a
Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance study that found flaws in the way the state’s prevailing wages are calculated. According to the
study, the prevailing wage added as much as $299 million to the cost of state and local projects last year. The goal of the study
was not to evaluate the merits of prevailing wage laws, but to evaluate the state’s method for such calculations, wrote WisTax
president Todd Berry. The WisTax study was funded by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a trade association
representing 800 non-union construction companies within the state. ABC is one of nine groups lobbying in favor of the bill.
Others include Americans for Prosperity, the Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards
and the National Federation of Independent Business.” [Capital Times, 4/1/15]
• The AFP-Sponsored Study Was Cited By Rep. Rob Hutton, The Sponsor Of A Bill That Would Repeal
Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage. According to The Capital Times, “Republican lawmakers on Wednesday argued for a
repeal of Wisconsin’s prevailing wage requirements. Under current law, workers on local and state construction projects
must be paid what’s called a prevailing wage set by the state. Rep. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, said discussions are
occurring with leadership in both chambers of the Legislature about how to best address the issue. Hutton, the
legislation’s Assembly sponsor, and other critics of the prevailing wage say the requirement over-inflates the costs of
publicly funded projects at the expense of taxpayers. […] Hutton cited a Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance study that found
flaws in the way the state’s prevailing wages are calculated.” [Capital Times, 4/1/15]
AFP-WI Deputy State Director Annette Olson On Prevailing Wage: “Ending This Outdated, Unnecessary
Regulation Is A Great Idea That Should Receive Bipartisan Support.” According to an opinion by AFP-Wisconsin
deputy state director Annette Olson for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Truth is, we could do a lot with the $300 million we
would save by repealing the state’s outdated prevailing wage requirement. There will be a lot of debate about what to do with
the savings, but ending this outdated, unnecessary regulation is a great idea that should receive bipartisan support.” [Annette
Olson – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/5/15]
AFP-WI Prevailing Wage Petition: “Wisconsin’s Antiquated Construction Law” Wasted “Millions Of Taxpayer
Dollars.” According to a petition by Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin, “Is How Much Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage
Requirement Cost Taxpayers Since 1995 […] ’This antiquated construction law wastes millions of taxpayer dollars.”
[AmericansForProsperity.org, Accessed 4/7/15]
AFP-WI Announced It Would Launch A Website And Statewide Online Advertising “Targeted At Repealing
Wisconsin’s Outdated, Costly Prevailing Wage Laws.” According to a press release from Americans for Prosperity
Wisconsin, “Today, Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin is announcing the next step in its plan to move Wisconsin forward.
AFP Wisconsin is launching a new microsite, GetWisconsinWorking.com, and a statewide online advertising effort targeted at
repealing Wisconsin’s outdated, costly prevailing wage laws.” [Americans For Prosperity Wisconsin Press Release, 4/7/15]
AFP- WI Said It Would Reach Out To “Its Network Of 125,000 In-State Activists” To Educate Them On The
Benefits Of Repealing The Prevailing Wage And “Encourage Them To Contact Their Representatives.” According
to a press release from Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin, “The chapter will be reaching out to citizens and its network of
125,000 in-state activists in order to educate them on the benefits of repealing the prevailing wage requirement and encourage
them to contact their representatives.” [Americans For Prosperity Wisconsin Press Release, 4/7/15]
• AFP- WI Announced “A Statewide Patch-Through Calling Campaign Educating Citizens On The Benefits Of
Prevailing Wage Repeal And Encouraging Them To Contact Their Legislators.” According to a web post by
Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin, “Today, Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin is announcing the next steps in their
continuing grassroots effort to repeal the state’s outdated prevailing wage laws. AFP Wisconsin, with the help of its
125,000 in-state activists, will be launching a statewide patch-through calling campaign educating citizens on the benefits
of prevailing wage repeal and encouraging them to contact their legislators. The initiative will coincide with the new
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