Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, February 17, 2001

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell FEBRUARY 17, 2001 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Applauds President’s Executive Order WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) praised President Bush’s willingness to issue an executive order which prohibits the use of project labor agreements (PLA) on federally-funded construction projects, and restores fairness and open competition to the contract bidding process. Congressman Ehrlich adamantly opposed Maryland’s union-only PLA for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, pushed by Governor Parris Glendening. The Wilson Bridge PLA would have forced non-union contractors, particularly small and minority-owned businesses, to comply with union rules, as well as accept union representation to which they are fundamentally opposed. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “This is a huge victory for Maryland businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses, and the Maryland taxpayers. It is also a huge defeat for out-of-state union bosses and those who pander to them.” Congressman Ehrlich cited a recent study at the University of Baltimore warning that such an agreement could mean significantly higher costs to taxpayers and a likely shortage of workers. Ehrlich has long believed that the most cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars is to include all businesses - regardless of their standing in union halls - in a fair and open contracting process. Harry Alford, President of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, stated, “PLAs amount to de facto segregation. African-American workers are significantly underrepresented in all crafts of construction union shops. PLAs are anti-free-market, non-competitive, and, most of all, discriminatory.” Congressman Ehrlich continued, “The Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project is one of the most important contracting issues in Maryland history. I believe that our businesses deserve a level playing field when bidding for federal contracts, and this executive order restores that principle.” ###