Assemblywoman Galef Releases Survey Results on WICKS Law Reform

Constituents in the 90th Assembly District gave overwhelming approval to reforming the current WICKS Law to allow all school districts to hire a single contractor to coordinate work on construction projects over $50,000.

Responding to a questionnaire by State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, 93% of her constituents said "yes", reform WICKS Law to give all school districts in New York the same ability as large cities to hire a single contractor to coordinate the work of the many contractors in a construction project to save taxpayers money.

Galef has authored Assembly bill A.8081A (S.4759A) to reform the 94-year-old law. Under the current system schools must award separate "prime" contracts for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. This increases school construction costs by 15-30%, according to The New York State Association of School Business Officials. It has cost local taxpayers $37.5 to $75 million since 2000 and impacted schools in Galef's district as follows:

School District Year Bond Amount Savings With WICKS Reform
(15-30% Potential Savings)

1. Briarcliff
2000
$36.8 Million
$5.52 - $11.04 Million

2. Ossining
2003
15.8*
2.37 - 4.74

3. Croton
2000
34.8
5.22 - 10.44

4. Hendrick Hudson
2001
34.5
5.17 - 10.35

5. Lakeland
2002
22.9
3.43 - 6.87

6. Putnam Valley
2000
22.2
3.33 - 6.66

7. Haldane
2005
4.2
.63 - 1.26

8. Garrison
2002
6.9**
1.03 - 2.07

9. Carmel
2004
12.8
1.92 - 3.84

10. Peekskill
2004
59.8
8.97 - 17.94

Total: $250.7 Million
$37.5 - $75.0
Million Potential Savings

*Ossining Library Bond Issue. **Two School Bond Issues.

Galef said she will reintroduce her bill in the next legislative session and continue to work to change the WICKS Law to favor taxpayers and reduce the cost of school construction projects.

For more information, contact Assemblywoman Galef at 914-941-1111.

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