Construction Law

Governor Gregoire Seeks Revamp of State Worker's Compensation

By John P. Ahlers

Faced with virtually doubling worker's compensation rates for construction companies (See blog dated December 22, 2010), a state budget debacle looming on the horizon and the state's economy in shambles, Governor Chris Gregoire has now turned her attention to revising the State's worker's compensation. The voters of this state had an opportunity to remedy the bloated unemployment insurance program in November 2010, but the Initiative I-82 went down in flames (See blog of November 18, 2010). The Governor apparently wise to the anti-business signal, Washington State worker's compensation and unplanned insurance monopoly conveys to businesses has made recommendations to cap unemployment taxes at last year's rate and cut the rate of expensive life time pensions. Two changes that were welcomed by Washington businesses.

http://www.djc.com/news/bu/12025100.html?cgi=yes

Full post as published by Construction Law Blog on January 11, 2011 (boomark / email).