EARTH CITY, Mo. — Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens signed legislation Tuesday to ban local governments from mandating union working conditions for construction projects, a move he touted as a way to lower costs of public construction but met pushback from Democrats and unions.

Missouri counties, cities and other local governments currently have the option to issue bid requirements mandating union working conditions for contractors if the projects are less than half funded by the state.

Greitens in a statement said those agreements “drive up the cost of construction and kill jobs.”

The measure passed this year by the Republican-led Legislature will ban the practice completely. Governments that violate the law will lose state funding and tax credits for two years. It takes effect Aug. 28.


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