OC Supes Mash Middle Class

The Orange County Board of Supervisors showed the middle class that they are not a priority during the October 27, 2009 meeting.  At the meeting, Supervisors stated they liked proposed changes to the tax structure that shifts the tax burden to the middle class and passed an ordinance banning Project Labor Agreements on County projects.

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle presented the findings of the Commission on the 21st Century Economy of which he was a member. The Commission was set up to recommend ways to "fix" California's tax system.  One of the recommendations is to reduce the tax burden on high income residents and make middle class residents pay more.  The story is high income residents are leaving the State, and reducing their taxes will bring them back.  Supervisors John Moorlach and Bill Campbell expressed support for this provision of the plan and were concerned that high income people were being hit with higher tax bills than middle class residents.  The higher tax bills for the middle class were not discussed and did not appear to be a concern of the Supervisors.

Later in the meeting, the Supervisors voted 5-0 to forbid the County from using Project Labor Agreements (PLA's ) on County projects.  Supervisor John Moorlach placed the item on the agenda.    PLA's are job site constitutions that allow cooperation between crafts and  ensure workers receive their full paycheck and benefits.  Research has shown the PLA's allow large construction projects to completed on time and on budget time, with high quality results.  Public works jobs funded by County money provide middle class jobs and a way out of poverty for many Orange County residents.  The Supervisors sided with the Associated Builders and Contractors, which supports non-union job sites. 

Before the meeting, over 150 members of  building trade locals including Iron Workers, Sheet Metal Workers, Plumbers and Steamfitters, Teamsters, Roofers and Waterproofers, Tile Layers, Sprinkler Fitters, and Laborers,  among others, walked a line in front of the Supervisors building.  Three large inflatable rats were on on display.  Passing cars honked their support as the workers walked the line.

Twenty six members of the public spoke during the public comment time, the majority of which were from the building trades.   Labor leaders mentioned during their comments than none of them had been contacted to discuss this ordinance or provide input. Before the vote, Supervisor Campbell stated that he had thoroughly visited the issue of PLA's four years ago and did not feel the need for more conversations with labor about the matter. 

The decision to ban PLA's from County projects makes Orange County the second county after Fresno to implement a ban.

Comments

[Carl R]

Congratulations to the Orange County Supervisors, Moorlach,followed by Campbell, Nguyen, Norby and Bates. Defying available studies and with improvidence voted to be just like Fresno (nothing against the citizens nor against the people working there).
Referencing "Old Wounds" repeatedly (?) they completely displayed disregard for the potential of "New Wounds". Totally irresponsible, my sympathies to the working class of Orange County.
Leaders wanted, apply Nov. 2010.

[Gary Kephart]

Here's an interesting related article:
http://www.calbuzz.com/2009/09/whats-wrong-with-the-parsky-panel-tax-reforms/