The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers say they have reached an agreement on how to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system.
Gov. Chris Gregoire and leaders from both parties said tonight that they’ve agreed to a plan to offer limited settlements to older workers who get injured. They believe the settlements will help improve the financial health of the system and save more than $500 million in the next four years.
Lawmakers had been struggling for days to find a compromise on workers’ compensation. They now hope to pass the bill as early as Monday, helping clear passage for a new state budget.
The agreement is already drawing opposition from a labor advocates who say the deal is bad for injured workers.
