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Prevailing Wage Act Letter to Representative
Here is a sample letter for you to use:
John Doe
123 Any Street
Antyown, IL, 60000
February 17, 2012
The Honorable [insert full name]
Dear Representative [or Senator] [insert last name]:
As a resident of Anytown, I am writing to ask that you pay particular attention to any new legislation or proposed changes in existing legislation pertaining to the Prevailing Wage Act.
Our concern is that interpretation of the Prevailing Wage Act is apparently being extended to cover many Public Works Projects previously not covered by Prevailing Wage, regardless of their connection with the “construction or demolition of a fixed public work” as defined in the Act. This extension to non-construction projects potentially has huge financial implications to a number of activities we manage within our community; I am sure in many others as well.† We would support legislation that solidifies the scope of the act to its original intention, and oppose any legislation seeking to broaden its application.
While investigating this at the local level, we would be most interested in your assistance in the close examination of any legislation that seeks to extend prevailing wage, especially to Green Sector projects not connected with construction or demolition of fixed public works. These include particularly tree removal, planting, and trimming; and maintenance of existing landscapes including installations of annuals and shrubs.
Communities across our State greatly value their trees and landscapes. As the Emerald Ash Borer crisis overwhelms our resources by causing the removal of tens of thousands of trees and greatly decreasing our important shade canopy, the extension of the Prevailing Wage Act to activities previously not covered such as tree removal and planting not connected to construction threatens to decrease or eliminate much of the progress we have made as a State towards the improvement of the environment and stabilization of our economy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, [Your name]
