Washington Special Legislative Session to Address Workers’ Comp

Washington’s Legislature is being called into a special session that starts today at 9 a.m., with workers’ compensation insurance among the topics to be discussed, according to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

“This Legislature has come together in the toughest of times and done significant work in this session on behalf of Washington,” Gregoire said. “But there is more work to be done. Starting Tuesday the Legislature will continue to work together to chart a new course and to transform Washington’s government. And I pledge to help them finish the job.”

With bipartisan Legislative leadership at her side, Gregoire said lawmakers have agreed to keep the special session focused on the budget, and the bills required to implement the budget. Gregoire urged quick action on cost-saving issues like workers’ compensation reform.

“Several of the proposals I made in the beginning of session were met with bipartisan support, and are already signed into law,” Gregoire said. “At a time when businesses, especially small businesses, are crucial to our recovery, we’ve acted to give them the opportunity to grow and hire. At a time when the competition for jobs is fierce, we’ve acted to give our students the opportunity to start their careers through the Launch Year Act.”

Gregoire praised the Legislature for its work to get injured workers better care and get back to their jobs sooner, while saving workers and employers $218 million over four years. Among the issues legislators addressed was reducing the cost of pensions. Legislation just passed is predicted to save the state more $360 million in the coming budget, the governor’s office said.

Gregoire also noted the Legislature’s work in passing important bills that show a commitment to a clean-energy economy, including legislation that will transition the state’s only coal-fired power plant off of coal starting in 2020.

Topics Legislation Workers' Compensation Washington