Quote of the day
"I personally believe we need a federal solution in this area."
U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, about workers' comp for horse jockeys
House Panel Discusses Amending Horseracing Act to Cover Jockeys
Testifying before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, award-winning jockey John Velazquez says he favors an amendment to the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 that would fund workers’ compensation insurance for jockeys, exercise riders, trainers, and backstretch workers. Lawmakers are considering allowing a percentage of revenue from simulcasts to go toward funding the insurance premiums.
Go to the full story by Leslie Deckard, the Blood-Horse
Go to the full story by James R. Carroll, Louisville Courier-Journal [With Photo]
Montana Speaker Accused of Conflict in Lobbying State Fund HQ Move
The speaker of the Montana House reportedly holds a financial interest in a competitor of the Montana State Fund, which may explain why he has lobbied the workers’ compensation program to move its offices across the Big Sky State to Miles City. According to the president of the State Fund, key employees would leave in droves if the company moved to eastern Montana. By Matt Gouras, AP via Montana Standard
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In Arizona, the Lure of the (Utah) Border
Lower workers’ compensation premiums are not the only reason Arizona businesses are lured across the borders of Utah and New Mexico. Proximity to a state border can be a boon to a business or an employee, but states say it costs them tax dollars and other revenue. By Mark Shaffer, Arizona Republic
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Maine Firm’s Sawmills Slash Comp Costs by 90 Percent
Fraser Papers Ltd. sawmills have decreased their workers’ compensation costs by 90 percent over the course of a decade, according to their safety and environmental manager. Two of the firms’ mills recently were recognized by the Maine Department of Labor for their workplace safety efforts with Fed-OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program awards. Bangor Daily News
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Opinion: Manitoba Bill ‘Not Worth the Paper It’s Printed On’
Alberta’s Doer government tables its long-awaited whistleblower legislation this week which would have protected civil servants who report wrongdoing in their departments from unfair dismissal. The proposed legislation comes in the wake of an auditor general’s report of wide-ranging problems at the Workers’ Compensation Board, but it’s ultimately just a political move. Winnipeg Sun
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Miami Roof Collapse Survivor Sues Contractor
The 64-year-old survivor of last weekend’s roof collapse that entombed three workers in fast-drying cement at a condo tower site in downtown Miami accuses a construction firm of multiple counts of negligence, including: failure to inspect the site during concrete pouring, allowing workers to stand below the pouring site, and hiring a sub-contractor that reportedly has a history of Fed-OSHA citations. By Nicole White, Miami Herald
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West Virginia Policyholders Get Short Reprieve
Employers in West Virginia can put off paying workers’ compensation premiums for one month while BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. reviews all of its workers’ comp policies to make sure workers are properly classified. By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
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Australia Post Cannot Use In-House Physicians on Claimants
Australia Post is not entitled to use its in-house doctor scheme, which it says speeds return-to-work rates, to examine workers’ compensation claimants, an industrial tribunal rules. The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union complains workers were being directed to and harassed into attending fitness-for- duty examinations with company doctors. Yahoo! Australia and NZ News
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