Gov. Chris Gregoire is floating another idea to end the political stalemate on workers compensation.
Her suggestion is for adding an option for a “structured settlement” rather than a lump sum buy out into the state workers compensation program.
Gregoire’s staff is reportedly drafting legislative language for possible release to House and Senate leaders later today.
From what I’ve heard of this proposal it would provide injured workers an annuity rather than a pension. As I understand, in very general terms, the notion is the annuity would be based on what an injured worker would otherwise receive in monthly benefit checks over the course of their remaining years.
Unclear is whether the governor is pushing for the sum of the annuity to be identical to the sum of the pension or be a minimum percentage of the benefits or no minimum at all.
Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson said Gregoire did not bring it up when the two met Wednesday. They were set to meet again this morning but the sitdown got canceled.
Like others, he’s heard rumors of something new. It doesn’t sound like this one is an instant winner for the labor community which opposes voluntary settlements.
“Structured settlement agreements are compromise-and-release. It’s just a different way of saying it,” he said.
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