LANSING, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – On Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan will require state contractors and subcontractors to pay a prevailing wage for construction projects.

This reinstates the prevailing wage requirement, which was repealed in June 2018. In addition, it ensures that any construction worker working on a state construction project receives a fair wage.

Whitmer’s move via executive directive drew swift opposition from Republicans and a promised legal challenge from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan. It represents many non-union contractors and strongly opposes the requirement.

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Tudor Dixon, a Republican who is running to unseat Gov. Whitmer in 2022, released this statement: “Dictator Whitmer strikes again! Today she is once again operating by decree, ordering contractors to pay wages that will hurt builders, contractors, and taxpayers. Whitmer campaigned on working with the legislature, [but] her actions throughout her tenure say otherwise.”