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State Representative Jim Buchy
Workers
Compensation Refunds to Help Localities
A major focus of Ohio lawmakers ever since Governor Kasich took
office has been to fight for skinny government. Saving local
governments money is part of this fight.
As part of this process, the Ohio Attorney General’s office initiated a
program that helps local governments recover outstanding debt owed to
them by Ohioans who didn’t pay their taxes.
Debt recovery services like this are only the start of the assistance
that local governments will receive from the state. Recently, the
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation proposed to cut premium rates for
municipalities by 9.1 percent. This reduction would save local
government employers an estimated $19 million.
Workers’ compensation premiums have decreased steadily since 2011 and
with this cut local government employers will enjoy an overall
reduction in their premiums of 20 percent. This can be done because
government employee risk factors are decreasing.
In addition to these savings, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is
encouraging employers to invest in workplace safety. More than $8
million in safety grants has been given out, and additional safety
measures benefit employees and the entire business as a result.
The department is also sending money back to ratepayers through a
program initiated by Governor Kasich. The goal of this program is to
increase the safety and wellness of Ohio’s workforce by offering a
one-time $1 billion rebate to both private and public employers who pay
into the workers’ compensation system. This is building off of last
year’s $1 billion rebate to private employers.
Giving back local governments the money that they deserve is important.
It allows local leaders to put that money back in the local economy
however they see fit. In this case, Governor Kasich is encouraging
local governments to use this money to implement further safety
measures to ensure the wellness of Ohio’s workforce.
With the “Another Billion Back” initiative, the Bureau of Workers’
Compensation has given over $2 billion in rebates to public and private
employers in Ohio in the past two years. The savings provided by all of
these programs have allowed local governments to enjoy their lowest
rates in 30 years.
With Governor Kasich leading the fight to reduce the size of government
in Ohio, we can be sure that local governments and businesses in Ohio
will only continue to reap the benefits of savings and smart
investments. In the state legislature, I will continue to work for my
constituents and the local communities in which they live.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchynovember2014.
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