Despite concerns and protests, a committee okays the bill 8-4.
By MICHAEL SANDLER
Published May 21, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - A state Senate committee moved along a controversial workers compensation bill Tuesday despite their own concerns, protests from injured workers and the objections of the panel's chairman.
The Banking and Insurance Committee approved the bill (SB 50-A) by an 8-4 vote and sent it to the full Senate, where it could be heard as soon as today.
The committee followed the terms of a deal made last week by Gov. Jeb Bush, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd and Sen. President Jim King.
The three agreed to add workers compensation to the special session if the number of amendments was limited. Each of the 33 amendments proposed Tuesday was defeated or withdrawn.
Many of the amendments were intended to restore benefits, and more than 50 injured workers listened as senators promised to consider them later.
Even Committee Chairman Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, could not get an amendment adopted. He voted against the bill.
"Originally the Senate president told me to get a bill out that offends everyone," Posey said. "This bill does not have everyone equally shoulder the burden. In its present form, it puts the greatest burden on injured employees."
The bill is supported by insurance companies, which contend it will lower rates by 15 percent. That estimate is based on projections by the National Council of Compensation Insurance. But the estimates were called into question by an independent actuary hired by the Senate.
Posey is not alone. Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, voted for the bill but said the Senate has a list of concerns that it intends to take back to the House before passing the bill.
King said that the debate is precarious at best.
"Workers comp is still a time bomb," Senate President Jim King said. "We're holding it together with wire and string."
- Staff writer Lucy Morgan contributed to this report.
