Oklahoma: Senate Republicans seek to reform workers' comp system in '09 session

Republican lawmakers in the Oklahoma State Senate are hoping to reform the state's workers' compensation system when the 2009 legislative session kicks off in February.

The November elections gave Republicans a majority in the Oklahoma Senate for the first time in the state's history. Party leaders recently called for reform of the state's workers' comp system, which they branded "archaic and business-unfriendly."

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and Republican Caucus Chairman John Ford said the party wishes to improve the state's legal system and business climate by reforming the workers' comp system and continuing the charge to reform the tort process. Coffee said this will aid in lowering costs, creating jobs, attracting more physicians, and protecting the rights of all individuals in the state.

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"Republicans have sat in the background in forming public policy for too many years now, but with thanks to the voters of our state, we will now have a seat at the head of the table," he said.

The 2009 legislative session begins Feb. 2 and runs through the end of May.

January 29, 2009

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