On March 5, 2009 the Labor Committee for the second year in a row favorably reported the "mega-mandate," HB 6194. Similar to last year's proposal, this new unfunded state mandate would shift the burden of proof onto local governments to refute costly workers' compensation claims for paid and volunteer firefighters, police and emergency personnel for various cancers and infectious and contagious diseases – all without having such employees show that the illnesses are work related. The bill has been sent to the floor of the House, but will likely first be considered by other committees.

As layoffs at the local level become a reality, the Labor Committee chose to uproot the workers' compensation system and mandate that local budgets incur millions of dollars in added claims for various cancers and diseases.

Rep. Selim Noujaim (R-Waterbury) opposed the bill in Committee, saying that resurrecting this proposal after last year's compromise was a "a betrayal and a disappointment" and a "slap in the face" (see attached committee vote).

HB 6194 blatantly disregards the seriousness of the present economic crisis and the state of local budgets. What's not at issue is whether public safety personnel should be compensated for their sacrifice, and they are under the current workers' compensation system – but, whether or not the State should mandate such special coverage (coverage that already exists if they show job-relatedness) and force local taxpayers to pay for it. HB 6194 is bad public policy in good times — and even worse policy in the middle of a recession.

Don't just scratch your head at this one – contact your legislators – make them accountable. Tell them:

• A compromise on this issue was passed last year and it is against protocol to ignore that and go forward with HB 6194.
• Local budgets cannot afford any more pandering to special interest groups in such dire fiscal times.
• We're in a financial emergency — we need budget solutions – not new unfunded state mandates.
• HB 6194 should be buried for good.

For more information, please contact Bob Labanara of CCM [rlabanara@ccm-ct.org, or (203) 498-3000].