Businesses to Assembly:
‘Stop proposals that increase workers’ comp costs’
(March 7, 2008) Scores of Connecticut employers — already struggling with some of the highest costs of doing business in the nation — this week urged state lawmakers to stop considering several proposals that would hike their workers’ compensation costs even higher.
If the proposals are approved, business leaders say they will be forced to make very difficult decisions about how to cut costs elsewhere — or about where to do business — in order to stay competitive.
Five particularly harmful workers’ comp proposals are expected to be approved by the Labor Committee at any time and are opposed by businesses:
• SB-255 — Expands workers’ compensation discretionary benefits. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) estimated that a similar measure last year would have increased workers’ compensation costs for the average employer in Connecticut by more than 50%, or $576 million.
• SB-57 – Adds new administrative responsibilities for workers’ comp.
• SB-63 — Expands workers’ compensation benefits to include post-traumatic stress disorders even in teh absence of a physical injury.
• SB-64 — Expands workers’ compensation benefits for scarring awards.
• HB-5334 — Penalizes employers who manage workers’ compensation claims properly.
Businesses and municipalities in the state affected by the proposals agree that the Labor Committee’s proposals will hurt them in an already difficult economy. Instead, they want lawmakers to listen to their concerns and remove any barriers to economic growth in Connecticut.
“Isn’t there enough regulation on employers now?” asked Curt Rutsky, president-owner of Syntac Coated Products, New Hartford. “We certainly can’t compete with imports from Asia, and you are making it impossible to compete with companies in other states. … Please reject these measures and give struggling businesses a break.”
CBIA continues to urge state lawmakers to hear the voice of businesses and reject any measures to increase workers’ comp costs or administrative burdens.
For more information, contact CBIA’s Kia Murrell at 860-244-1931 or kia.murrell@cbia.com.
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