* From the Senate Democrats…
As workers’ compensation reform talks continue, the Senate President reminded the caucus that as a result of 2011 changes, rates are dropping. There may be more that we can do, but we should acknowledge the progress that has been made. The attached visual illustrates that point.
* Click the pic for a larger image…
Discuss.
*** UPDATE *** Our resident workers’ comp expert Louis Atsaves responded in comments…
Before everyone does their happy dance, let’s keep things in perspective here. Premiums in Workers’ Comp are basically based on payroll totals. Payroll figures alone do not determine premiums but the type of jobs that generate those salaries that appear on the payroll. For example, an office secretary payroll premium is far less than a manufacturing worker who grinds metal. the premium for an office security guard is less than that of a flagger on a road construction site.
I would opine that the current job market with the loss of those high paying, higher premium jobs, coupled with less salary to service employees (department stores, non-union groceries, restaurants) that many of those workers moved into, is more evidence than a simple “premium” comparison.
The rates have declined on an average because of the loss of manufacturing jobs, steady construction jobs (road and bridge building) and other heavy industry (trucking, shipping) that have left this state since the year of the start of that chart.
If anyone plans on cherry picking those numbers by waiving that chart around as “proof” that Workers’ Comp is not in need of reform, then we truly are in sad shape. It means there are folks still out there that don’t fully recognize the problem the loss of higher paying blue collar jobs has created in this state.
