New York State has expanded it prevailing wage law to include private projects worth $5 million or more and that have received public subsidies of at least 30% of total construction costs.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the provision as part of the fiscal year 2021 budget on April 3. The definition of public subsidy includes:
· Direct or indirect payments by a public entity to contractors, subcontractors, developers, or owners that do not have to be repaid
· Savings from fees, rents, interest rates, other loan costs or insurance costs that are below market rate
· Savings from tax credits, tax abatements, tax exemptions, tax increment financing and payments in lieu of taxes
· Any other cost savings due to the involvement of a public entity
· Loans that are to be repaid on a contingent basis, and credits against loan repayments or other obligations.
There are exemptions such as tax credits for brownfield remediation and redevelopment. Projects not covered under the new law include owner-occupied single- or two-family dwellings, properties of four dwellings or less, certain not-for-profit projects, construction work performed under select pre-hire collective-bargaining agreements, projects funded by the state’s Urban Development Corporation Act or Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and certain school, historic, and renewable energy projects.
Related Stories
University Buildings | May 30, 2015
Texas senate approves $3 billion in bonds for university construction
For the first time in nearly a decade, Texas universities could soon have some state money for construction.
Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2015
Energy Department releases resources to assess building energy benchmarking policies, programs
The new handbook demonstrates methodologies using real data from New York City.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2015
Construction industry concerns with ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule remain
EPA and Corps of Engineers rule may lead to a longer, more expensive permitting process
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
Rapid growth for environmental insurance in construction industry
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is paying closer attention to intrusion of potentially harmful vapors into commercial and residential buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
Roof collapse at Minnesota water park highlights failure to enforce codes
Rural areas say they can’t afford to enforce state-adopted building code.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
U.S. House scuttles EPA plan to expand definition of waters in Clean Water Act
Construction industry officials said the rule would hamper developers, cost jobs.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
First EPD covering PVC water and wastewater piping published
Benchmarks impacts of seven PVC pipe products across their life cycles.
Office Buildings | May 18, 2015
New ASHRAE standard offers test method to determine heat gain of office equipment
The standard will aid engineers in configuring cooling systems in office buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Widespread damage from Nepal earthquake due to poor implementation of building code
Nepal’s code author says destruction was ‘inevitable.’
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Lavish residential skyscrapers prompt concern over shadows
New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston among cities grappling with height regulations.