VOTERS KEEP OREGON’S SAIF SAFE:

Voters in Oregon said yes to keeping state-run workers’ compensation carrier SAIF Corp. from being abolished by rival Liberty Northwest, according to the Associated Press. Supporters of the abolishment said that the measure would have decreased insurance rates if the market is left to private insurers, an argument rejected by opponents. The $8 million dollar initiative measure broke a state record for spending. Liberty Mutual reportedly spent $5.3 million in its campaign to abolish SAIF, with another $2.5 million being spent by The Committee for SAIF Keeping, a group of small businesses in support of the state-run carrier. Voters also said no to a measure that would cap pain and suffering–winning by a slight margin with 50.5 percent of the vote. The measure would have put a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages in addition to allowing juries to fully award compensation for lost wages and medical costs.