Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ, KOEZ, and KOIZ) help support Pennsylvania’s local communities by supporting businesses, property owners, and residents. This has been vital to rebuilding and revitalizing communities throughout the Commonwealth. However, while adding jobs and supporting communities, companies have not been required to prioritize quality and skilled craftsmanship.
 
I will be introducing legislation that requires a business in a KOZ, KOEZ, or KOIZ to use skilled labor on any construction or reconstruction project over $25,000 and to pay the prevailing wage to those workers. The bill also includes the use of apprentices, because we need the next generation of skilled laborers to learn and contribute to Pennsylvania’s success. 
 
KOZ, KOEZ, and KOIZs are all incredibly useful tools for economic development. However, we need to do more for Pennsylvanians who invest their tax dollars in these companies and zones. We need to ensure that, when parcels in these zones are improved, Pennsylvania workers are paid a fair wage that is the prevailing wage for that area.
 
Join me in supporting the fair wage of Pennsylvanians working hard to improve our communities by requiring businesses in KOZ, KOEZ, and KOIZs to pay the prevailing wage for construction projects.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0327: P.L.705, No.92, P.L.604, No.304