Quote of the day
"[W]orkers' compensation insurance premiums have risen 400 percent. It is a continuing struggle for us to meet Cal/OSHA safety regulations and make sure that our dedicated volunteers are using current equipment before they answer that next call for help."
Richard Leonardo, President, Humboldt County Fire Chiefs' Association
Editorial: North Coast Firefighters’ Patience Running Out
Richard Leonardo, the Assistant Chief of the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department and President, Humboldt County Fire Chiefs’ Association, discusses how the Humboldt County budget crisis affects paid and volunteer firefighters’ working conditions as they wait for Proposition 172 funds. By Richard Leandro, Eureka Times-Standard
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GOP Incumbent Holds onto Peach State Post
In Georgia, Republican incumbent John Oxendine defeats Democrat Guy Drexinger in the race for state insurance commissioner. By Doug Gross, AP via Macon Telegraph
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Praeger Re-Elected in Kansas
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger claims a second four-year term as state insurance commissioner, holding off Democratic state Rep. Bonnie Sharp, who for the past six years was the ranking Democrat on the House Insurance Committee. By AP Kansas City Star
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Dem Incumbent Wins Close One in Oklahoma
Kim Holland wins her first election to retain her seat as the Oklahoma insurance commissioner, fending off Republican Bill Case 52 percent to 48 percent. Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry appointed Holland in 2005 after her predecessor Carroll Fisher resigned. By Jordan Janosek-Albright, Daily O’Collegian (Oklahoma State University)
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Dem Breaks Republican Stranglehold on Florida Cabinet
Democrat Alex Sink, a former banking executive, takes down her Republican rival, Florida Senate President Tom Lee, to become the state’s next chief financial officer. By Mark Long, AP via Kansas City Star
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Fate of Disgraced Coin Dealer Rests with Jury
Jurors in the criminal trial of politically-connected businessman Tom Noe, who is standing trial for stealing millions from a $50 million rare coin fund he managed on behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, got the case late yesterday morning. WXIX-TV (Cincinnati)
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Jury Selection for BWC Brokers Begins
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation scandal news never rests: jury selection begins in the trial of two investment brokers accused of bribing the former chief financial officer of the agency. The brokers managed stock investments for the $15 billion insurance fund while working at firms that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions. By M.R. Kropko, AP via Akron Beacon Journal
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http://www.inc.com/criticalnews/articles/200611/injuries.html
BLS Study Good News for Small Businesses
Workplace injuries have fallen to a record low and small businesses have the lowest injury rates, according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report. By Peter Hoy, Inc.
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B.C. Businesses Expect ‘Serious Loss of Business’ When Ban Takes Effect
A ban on smoking in most public spaces in British Columbia by 2008 has some business owners, especially those in the hospitality industry, frustrated that the change may seriously damage their businesses. By Kathy Michaels, Penticton (B.C.) Western News [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Jockey Groups Call for Better Working Conditions
The Australian Workers’ Union is trying to raise awareness among bettors and horseracing fans at this week’s Melbourne Cup that jockeys face surprisingly rough working conditions. Advocates are asking for the introduction of national, uniform conditions for jockeys including ride fees, workers compensation, and superannuation. The Age (Australia)
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