Jun. 11, 2025
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) recently proposed legislation that would help maximize efforts to connect large numbers of Pennsylvanians in rural areas to high-speed broadband internet service. Specifically, she offered an amendment to House Bill 846 to clarify how prevailing wage requirements should apply to broadband infrastructure development projects to both ensure workers are paid fairly and that taxpayers get the most bang for their buck in broadband deployment.
“My ultimate goal is to improve online access to educational, government and health care services in rural areas like the one I represent,” Pickett said. “Federal funding is available to help this effort, and we need to make sure we spend every dollar wisely.”
Pickett explained the state Department of Labor and Industry is unnecessarily driving up the costs of broadband projects by applying prevailing wage rates for electrical linemen to teledata-specific jobs.
“While broadband work is vital, it does not rise to the danger level required of electrical lineman,” she said. “Lower rates for teledata-specific jobs would allow dollars to stretch further and improve broadband access across our region.”
Pickett emphasized broadband projects would continue to be subject to prevailing wage requirements under her proposal; the measure simply requires a different classification for the project workers.
The amendment was defeated on a party-line vote. Pickett said she will continue to fight for broadband access for her constituents. Her
House Bill 1292, which mirrors the amendment offered, is pending consideration in the House Labor and Industry Committee.
House Bill 846 passed the House by a vote of 126-76 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Kalie Morrow
717-772-9824
KMorrow@pahousegop.com
RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett