Time is running out for Governor Crist to veto an eleventh-hour bill that would cap the amount of money injured workers can pay their attorneys to fight denied worker compensation claims. That the legislature didn’t also cap what insurance companies can spend has labor groups and trial attorneys crying foul and calling for a veto. House Bill 903 resurrects a 2003 bill that resulted in workers’ attorneys being paid as little as $8.00 per hour, which the Supreme Court ruled last year was unfair to workers.

Rich Templin, spokesman for the AFL-CIO, says workers are suffering from denied claims.

"They’re losing their houses; they’re losing their families; their losing their ability to provide health care for their kids, and they did nothing wrong. All they did was go to work and get hurt. But, because the insurance company wants to maximize its profit, these people are paying the price."

Supporters of the legislation, led by the Florida Chambers of Commerce, argue that this is the only way to reduce costs, and without caps on attorney’s fees, Florida worker compensation insurance premiums would again be among the highest in the nation. The state’s trial attorneys say many injured workers have been denied claims and have been unable to find counsel because the fees are too low.

Templin says the new bill caps worker's attorney fees at $1,500.

"No attorney is going to take that case, so that person is up against some of the biggest, most powerful insurance lawyers in the country. The insurance company hasn't been capped; it can still spend however much on legal representation as it wants while the workers get nothing. "

Fee caps remove the incentive for insurance companies to "do the right thing" by providing the coverage for injured workers that businesses are paying for, adds Templin.

"Insurance companies are routinely denying claims, even stuff that should be covered - that’s completely valid and completely fair - because there's no recourse for the worker. There is no way for them to get legal representation."

A recent study by the Department of Worker’s Compensation found litigation has declined since the restrictions imposed in 2003, while the number of denied claims has steadily increased.

For more information, visit www.fldfs.com/wc/pdf/SB-50A-Compensability.pdf.




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The White House is fielding pitches from top Democratic lawmakers about their desire to dramatically expand student loan forgiveness.

While a politically divisive topic, the idea has support in North Dakota, especially from those teaching future generations of professionals. The Biden administration has been considering whether to take executive action on canceling student loan debt, with possible income caps and other eligibility requirements.

Cody Mickelson, a teacher at Jamestown High School, said while his loans were not as much of a burden compared with younger teachers, he feels action is needed.

"I think it's a great opportunity for our country to invest in itself while also getting something out of that investment," Mickelson contended. "Because let's face it, student loan forgiveness doesn't mean I'm gonna go and waste my talents if I'm forgiven for those loans. It's just gonna help me believe that my country believes in me."

He emphasized if teachers feel supported, it bodes well for schools and students.

The North Dakota AFL-CIO said overwhelming debt blocks pathways toward the middle class. While some Democrats want debt as high as $50,000 canceled, the administration views a lower threshold. Skeptics say it is not fair to workers without loans or those who have paid them off, while arguing taxpayers could see a ripple effect.

Mickelson also is president of the Jamestown Education Association. He noted even though there are existing forgiveness programs, there are barriers in states such as North Dakota to make them work. He added aspiring teachers need fewer headaches in pursuing their dreams.

"It's not helpful when the price of college becomes prohibitive to good people wanting to do something for either themselves, their country or the students in our country," Mickelson asserted.

He stressed teachers like him have to go through extra hoops to take advantage of existing relief if they have their loans through the Bank of North Dakota. According to industry trackers, North Dakota and Mississippi are the only states without a dedicated student-loan forgiveness program.

A new report found dishonest employers steal from some 213,000 people in Ohio each year by paying them less than the minimum wage; and it is just one type of wage theft.

According to the analysis from Policy Matters Ohio, other forms of wage theft include nonpayment for all hours worked, not paying time and a half for hours worked overtime, and misclassifying workers as nonsalaried to avoid overtime pay.

Ernest Hatton of Cleveland said he experienced wage theft at a time when he was working a security job for nearly 60 hours a week.

"My supervisor asked me if I would mind if they would take away eight hours in exchange for a vacation day because payroll couldn't handle the amount of money that they claimed I was going to make, so they needed to offset that," Hatton recounted. "I didn't know that was illegal."

Among wage theft victims in Ohio, 8% of victims of wage theft in Ohio earn $11.44 per hour or less. The average victim loses $55 per week, which equals about a quarter of their pay, based on the minimum wage, which amounts to more than $2,800 a year on average.

The report found Hispanic people are 71% more likely to become victims than their white counterparts.

Ghandi Merida of Cincinnati, a wage theft victim from Mexico, believes an employer who stole wages from him intentionally recruited Hispanic workers.

"And they promise, like, $30 or $27 when he only pays $20 and $22," Merida asserted. "He just wants to take a lot of advantage of Hispanic workers because (they) cannot speak English, and they cannot say anything, so you can't speak up for yourself."

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, introduced the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act, which he said will crack down on wage-theft practices and empower Ohioans to fight back.

"So many workers never report these violations," Brown noted. "Why? Because they're afraid of retaliation. I mean, who holds the power here? These are rarely union shops, so companies hold the power. "

At the state level, the report calls for requiring employers to provide pay stubs, so workers are better informed of wages; beef up wage and hour enforcement; and recognize informally classified workers as employees who can be protected by labor laws.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.

North Dakota has seen recent examples of staffing shake-ups among certain employers where a toxic environment was cited. It coincides with rhetoric about the need for companies and agencies to offer a more compassionate work setting.

Earlier this year, Fargo Police leaders publicly responded to reports of low morale among officers. Similar issues prompted an internal investigation within Cass County Human Services.

Dr. Hope Umansky, a psychological consultant for Innovations Advocacy Group, said those in management need to pay closer attention to how the workforce has responded to the pandemic.

"I don't think people, with the shift in the last two years, are going to put up with just neglecting their families, their homes, their kids anymore," Umansky contended. "A good thing has been a reset toward, 'We don't need to be so busy all the time.' You know, like it's not healthy for anybody."

She emphasized the mindset includes no longer feeling a sense of loyalty to a job if the person doesn't think they are valued by management.

A recent report from MIT Sloan Management looked at turnover data during the "Great Resignation." Researchers found a toxic culture was the leading predictor of attrition.

Umansky pointed out employers who do not look inward and improve leadership will face more instability, which could threaten the company's future.

"If your [organizational] structure, your staff, your people aren't healthy psychologically and happy and thriving, the business isn't going to grow," Umansky stressed.

She added while it's not an issue of ageism, younger generations have different expectations of a work-life balance. She suggests because it has been harder for them to obtain financial security, they have a different set of priorities as it relates to work.