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W. Va. Governor Vetoes Right-to-Work and Repeals Prevailing Wage
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – As promised, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has vetoed bills to make West Virginia the 26th right-to-work state and repeal its prevailing wage.
Both faced union opposition and passed on party lines, drawing some House GOP ‘no’ votes.
However, Republicans only need a simple majority vote from both GOP-led chambers to override a veto.
In one veto message Thursday, Tomblin wrote that right to work would produce little-to-no economic growth and could lower wages. He said the state should improve its workforce and create new development opportunities.
The bill prohibits companies from requiring workers to pay union dues. Unions are required to represent every worker.
Tomblin’s veto message about repealing the prevailing wage for public construction projects says a compromise last year to retool the wage was “all for naught.”