L&I reforms and coal plant closures - the spirit of compromise abounds

This afternoon the House passed a sweeping reform package for the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), adding flexibility for employers and injured workers, and stricter accident prevention enforcement. In total, the package potentially saves the workers’ compensation system tens of millions of dollars each year and drives down employer premiums.

The changes come in the wake of an overhaul to the state unemployment insurance forged with broad bi-partisan participation.

“That same spirit of bringing together all parties to come to a compromise was applied to this negotiating process, in order to find common ground,” said Rep. Mike Sells, the Chair of the House Labor & Workforce Development Committee and a chief negotiator of the package.

You can read more about the bills here.

In other breaking news, an agreement was announced today between lawmakers and Transalta to begin closing down its Centralia coal plant.