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February 27, 2004 

Important workers' comp meeting set March 5

By Greg Little, Managing Editor

An impressive lineup of state officials will be in Covington to discuss workers’ compensation.

The issue has been the subject of much debate in recent years, with many blaming the system for loss of jobs as well as the loss of potential jobs.

The upcoming meeting is slated for 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 5, at The Ruffin Theatre in downtown Covington. It is being sponsored by the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce.

Scheduled to speak on the issue are Bob Gaskill of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Speaker of the Tennessee House Jimmy Naifeh; Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Jim Neeley; and Matt Kisber, commissioner of Economic and Community Development. Other state representatives and senators have also been invited to the event.

“People get hurt on the job, that is a given,” said Lee Johnston, chairman of the Covington Chamber. “But Tennessee is probably worst in the United States in what they are doing.”

“The situation is our premiums have gotten extremely high and we’ve got to find a way to reduce that,” said Naifeh.

For instance, Naifeh said there was a major industry “looking hard” at relocating in Haywood County. However, he said the company “backed off” and ended up locating in Arkansas.

When asked why, Naifeh said state officials were told it was because of the workers’ compensation program in Tennessee.

Johnston said the meeting is intended to inform local legislators about how the laws are impacting this area and to give ideas on what may be able to be done to improve those laws.

Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville who represents Tipton County, has said many times he believes the system needs to be reformed. He is hoping something can be done this legislative session, or at least a beginning of reforming the program. Naifeh said he, too, is hoping at least something can be started this year.

“We want to hear what the people have to say,” said Naifeh. “This is something we are working on.”

Naifeh said an ad hoc committee has been working with officials in the governor’s office on this issue.
“We are hopeful something can get done this year, but that may not happen,” said Naifeh. “It is a very detailed subject to work with.”

Johnston said he is hoping many people will attend the meeting to voice their opinions.

“We are needing a lot of folks there so they can see it does affect us,” said Johnston.

He called the issue “major to this county,” especially noting the number of businesses and industries in Tipton County.