Vermont House Advances WC Reforms

The Vermont House this week gave preliminary approval to a series of measures designed to lower workers‘ compensation insurance premiums. The 101-39 vote came after critics of the bill complained that it would hurt some workers more than it would help any businesses. Backers called the measure a sign of modest progress toward making Vermont more business-friendly. "It may be a small step, but it is a positive step for the state of Vermont," Labor and Industry Commissioner Michael Bertrand, the Douglas administration‘s point man on the issue, said after the House vote. The vote to advance the bill also came after the Republicans who control the House beat back three attempts by Democrats and Progressives to amend the bill to remove some of what they saw as its more onerous provisions.