OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Democratic Rep. Mike Sells of Everett says he doesn’t plan to have a hearing in his committee on a state Senate bill that would allow of settlements for injured workers under the state’s compensation system.
The Senate bill was a victory for business groups, but has been steadfastly opposed by labor.
Sells says the measure was not written well and its costs or savings are not known. The chair of the House labor and workforce committee says that a package of bills approved by his chamber have a clearer way of saving money — an estimated $150 million in the next four years.
A state auditor’s report last year said some funds in the workers compensation system are insolvent or at risk of going insolvent.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has lobbied lawmakers to propose fixes to the system.
