Prevailing Wage and its inflationary impact on broadband deployment projects was front and center at this week’s budget hearing with Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy Walker. House Appropriations Committee Republican Chairman Representative Jim Struzzi led questioning from a number of committee members, noting that absent some sort of change in the prevailing wage for fiber splicers, federal money for broadband deployment “could do significantly less.” Walker noted that there is an appeal currently before the Prevailing Wage Appeals Board that may impact the current designation of the work to be done. Those appealing are seeking a potential lowering of the rate from electric lineman ($90 per hour) to something closer to the actual work being performed. Stay tuned.