Critics say Lansing's new bidding rules will drive up costs for taxpayers

LANSING - Critics of a new “responsible contractors” ordinance passed by the Lansing City Council say it will drive up costs for city taxpayers and push smaller, local, non-union contractors out of opportunities to bid on work for the city.

The changes, which have already been approved and have taken effect, mean that almost every city construction project - anything over $15,000 - will go through a scoring system rather than being awarded to the lowest bidder.