OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Republican-led maneuver in the House of Representatives to bring a vote on a measure that would establish the option of settlements into the state’s workers compensation system has failed.
Republican Rep. Charles Ross of Naches attempted a motion that would have allowed the workers compensation bill to the House floor, but it was voted down 54-43 with only one Democrat siding with the Republicans.
The state’s system of compensation for injured workers has been a contentious fight this year in Olympia after the state auditor’s office said last year that parts of the system were at risk of insolvency.
Business groups managed to get a bill with the option of settlements through the Senate, but that stalled in the House.
Instead, House leaders have sided with labor so far, pushing a package of bills that makes adjustments to the system, but don’t allow settlements.
