Published: June 16, 2010

Albany insiders say the Assembly is close to taking business improvement districts out of a prevailing wage bill in Albany that primarily affects public utilities. When the bill passed the Senate earlier this month, BIDs warned that $22 hourly wage mandates would force them to lay off workers, some of whom earn less than $8. Their arguments have resonated with legislators, so rather than jeopardize the bill, which would lift more than 1,100 workers' salaries and benefits at utilities, Assembly sponsors are said to be ready to exclude BIDs from the legislation.