A.G. GancarskiAddressing a group of human resources professionals in Jacksonville Thursday, state Senator. Aaron Bean addressed the hot-button issue of workers compensation, and the merits of “Blue Lives Matter“ legislation.
Bean, who had attended an Associated Industries of Florida “town hall” in Jacksonville Wednesday, said it didn’t look good for those who want a special session to address a proposed 20 percent hike in workers’ comp rates.
“The logistics aren’t there to make that happen,” Bean said before his remarks to the 100 HR professionals in attendance, noting that elections are imminent, and “by the time those are wrapped up,” committees will begin.
In addressing the group, Bean quipped that “you probably wish you could spend all day” talking about workers’ comp issues, before laying bare his position.
“In 2003,” Bean noted, the “broken system” in Florida saw the burden imposed on businesses comparable with that of California.
After reforms were passed in 2003, characterized by Bean as “putting workers first,” imposing “limits and caps” on attorneys’ fees, “premiums dropped 58 percent.”
“The Legislature will look at it in the spring,” Bean said, noting the burden of the previous system on employers such as roofing and pool contractors.
“For every $100 in wages, they’d have to pay $75 in workers’ comp,” Bean noted.
Regarding the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, which is slated to be considered by the Florida House, Bean stressed that, while he “love[s] police” and “believe[s] all lives matter,” he’s “always hesitant to give special protections to anybody.”
“I’m going to look at the bill,” Bean vowed, adding that “any special rights always concern me.”
“All lives matter,” Bean repeated, before asking FloridaPolitics.com to be sure to convey the message that he loves the police.
