By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Debate over an apprenticeship law for Erie County continued at Tuesday's legislative committee meeting.
The law was passed once by the Legislature. But then vetoed by the County Executive. Now, the Legislature's Economic Development Committee is back at the drawing board looking for a compromise. Lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday from building trades leaders and public officials both for and against the law. As written, the law would have mandated a state certified training program for any contractor working on a county project.
County Attorney Larry Rubin says the plan may not even be legal.
"Competitive bidding is highly regulated in New York state and it's an issue of extreme public importance," said Rubin. "We want to make sure if one is written it will withstand a court test."
But Tom Burke, who heads the carpenters union, argued in favor of the law. He says they use the state certified training. And he says it's only program that stops the boys club from continuing.
"It's very heavily regulated by the DOL [Department of Labor] and the Department of Education. Both components are needed," said Burke. "Quite frankly, I could not get my son into the program tomorrow, if I so chose, if I wanted to, unless he followed the criteria."
Still, there is little agreement. Opponents also say the law would eliminate many skilled, but uncertified contractors and drive up costs. But the law's original sponsor, lawmaker Tim Kennedy says he's confident they will have a compromise version of the law ready for next week's legislative session.