Idaho state and local governments could be forbidden to require bidders on public works projects to pay their workers pre-determined wages and benefits, under legislation that cleared a Senate committee today, the AP reports. SB 1006, sponsored by Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene, cleared the Senate State Affairs Committee 7-2  to outlaw so-called "Project Labor Agreements" for state and local public projects. Those are collective bargaining agreements with unions that establish employment conditions for individual construction projects.

Non-union construction companies argue such deals drive up the cost of projects for taxpayers. Union representatives maintained that Idaho is inviting lawsuits if it tries to interfere. Two committee Democrats opposed the measure. Testimony on a second bill that takes aim at unions, SB 1007, also sponsored by Goedde, to forbid unions from using dues to subsidize members' wages, will continue Monday.