Initiative I-1082 would have allowed competition for the Washington state-run monopoly that provides employers with industrial insurance for the workers injured on the job. It appears that L&I played politics with our tax dollars; it waited until after the November 2, 2010 election to increase worker’s compensation rates. Six days after the elections, L&I announced a 12% average increase in Worker’s Compensation insurance premiums. The new rates take effect January 1, 2011, under an emergency rule that is effective for 120 days. L&I is holding public hearings in Spokane and Tacoma on January 4, 2011 to gather comments about the proposed increase before adopting permanent rates.
The video is available online at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/News/2010/101108rates.asp.