Quote of the day
"I think we recognize the predicament they're in. If you reduce the rate and then raise the rate, it presents a whole set of different problems."
Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business, about the Washington Department of Labor & Industries' rate suspension plan for 2007, as opposed to a long-term rate discount that could spur higher rates once a budget surplus is gone
State Claws Its Way Up in Small Business Survival Index
California slightly improved its small business environment in the past year, according to the Small Business Survival Index 2006. The survey ranks California 49th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia for small business friendliness, a step up from last year’s No. 50 ranking. East Bay Business Times
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Washington Businesses to Benefit from ‘Rate Holiday’ Next Year
Washington businesses stand to save an estimated $315 million in workers’ compensation premiums in 2007 under a temporary rate reduction proposed by the state Department of Labor & Industries, according to the office of Gov. Christine Gregoire. The state says the so-called “rate holiday” is the result of a large budget surplus.
Go to the full story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Go to the full story in the Seattle Times
Go to the full story by Curt Woodward, the Olympian
Kentucky Coalition to Lobby for Comp Premium Cuts
The Kentucky Small Business Caucus plans to lobby the 2007 Kentucky General Assembly for $20 million in economic-development credits, changes in workers’ compensation aimed at lowering premiums and more business-friendly tax laws. By Bill Wolfe, Louisville Courier-Journal
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BWC Seeks to Keep In-House Lawyers off the Stand
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation wants to keep three of its in-house attorneys from testifying on behalf of coin dealer Tom Noe, who is standing trial on charges of stealing $2 million from the rare coin fund investment that Noe managed on behalf of the bureau. The state contends attorney-client privilege should prevent the testimony. Noe’s defense is expected to begin calling witnesses today. By Andrew Welsh-Huggins, AP via Akron Beacon-Journal
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Former Sing Sing Officer Cops to Workers’ Comp Fraud
A 43-year-old former New York State corrections officer at Sing Sing prison pleads guilty to collecting workers compensation benefits for a purported work-related knee injury while performing major home-improvement construction work at various locations in Westchester County. North Country Gazette (Chestertown, N.Y.)
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BrickStreet Faces Significantly Larger Sago Expense
BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. faces a potential $10.8 million tab to provide workers’ compensation benefits to the lone survivor and to relatives of the 12 miners who died in January’s Sago Mine explosion in West Virginia. That’s $3.7 million more than the state’s sole workers’ comp insurer originally planned. By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
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Former Beacon Exec Denies Fraud, Conspiracy
A former executive of Beacon Mutual Insurance Co., Rhode Island’s dominant workers’ compensation insurer, pleads not guilty to five felony counts of conspiracy, insurance fraud and computer crime. The charges stem from an audit that found evidence that Beacon gave preferential treatment to some of its largest policyholders. By Arthur Kimball-Stanley, Providence Journal [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Canada Public Employee Unions Endorse Principles for Reform
North of the border, participants representing approximately 10,000 workers’ compensation board employees endorse a set of principles for the national reform of legislation covering injured workers. The principles call for a comprehensive public system, including universal coverage, prevention of injury and illness programs, education for young workers, indexed pensions and benefits, and coverage of all workplace injuries and illnesses. National Union of Public and General Employees [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…