Dive Brief:

• Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Wednesday signed a bill repealing the state’s common construction wage law, saying the new law will "put … hardworking taxpayers first” while “lessening the burden on cash-strapped local governments and schools.”

• The old law required local governments to seat panels of labor union and construction company representatives to decide a fair hourly wage for contractors working on state-funded projects like  courthouses, schools and government buildings.

• Contractors and labor unions argued that the law maintained high construction standards and safety, and gave local builders an edge when bidding on jobs. Supporters of repeal, which will take effect on July 1, argued that the marketplace should determine which wages are fair, and that abolishing the bill will save the state money.

Dive Insight:

As the measure worked its way through the Indiana Legislature, Pence actively supported the Republican-backed repeal and had promised to sign it.