Lt. Gov., Senate Democrats Block Effort to Vote on Workers Comp Reform Amendment

On the same day some Democrat senators held a news conference to complain that a few of their bills are not being heard in the House of Representatives, Democrat Lt. Gov. Jari Askins broke a tie to help Senate Democrats block consideration of a workers compensation reform amendment in the State Senate.

The amendment, authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Co-Chairman James A. Williamson, would have required Senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments of judges to the Workers Compensation Court.

The Workers Comp Court is currently stacked with judges who are anti-business and pro-trial lawyer. This is a major factor in Oklahomas workers comp insurance rates being among the highest in the nation. My amendment would have helped bring about more balance and fairness by requiring Senate confirmation of the judges appointed to this critical court in Oklahoma, stated Williamson, R-Tulsa.

The high cost of workers comp insurance is one of the top concerns I hear in my district. So it is very disappointing that Lt. Gov. Askins and Senate Democrats chose to put the interests of Big Trial Lawyers ahead of the interests of the people of Oklahoma by blocking consideration of this important reform, he stated.