Legislator Opposes Final Workers Comp Legislation
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MAYVILLE -- The debate over cities having to pay significantly more for workers compensation than they have in the past has not completely gone away.
During the June meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature, lawmakers authorized the 2023 levy of participant's share of the county's self insurance plan costs for workers compensation.
Legislator Susan Parker, D-Fredonia, voted against the resolution. After the meeting, she explained her "no" vote.
"I voted against authorizing the 2023 levy of participants share of the Chautauqua county self insurance fund plan," she said. "Worker's compensation costs, because although the change in the method to determine the costs to county municipalities was sound, the cost increase starting in 2023 did not take into account the considerable yearly burden to the cities of Dunkirk and Jamestown. I could not support a one-step increase in January 2023 when a more affordable two- step process was proposed last month at the legislature, and could have been afforded to Dunkirk and Jamestown, and the Village of Westfield."
In May, the workers compensation was recalculated and many of the municipalities were being overcharged, while three were being undercharged. It was announced that annually Jamestown will pay an increase of $157,315, Dunkirk will pay an increase of $86,139 and Westfield will pay an increase of $7,766.
Parker was the only legislator in June to vote no. Last month, Parker was joined by Legislators David Wilfong, R-Jamestown, Paul Whitford, D-Jamestown, Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown, Billy Torres, D-Jamestown, and Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk, trying to either amend or oppose the workers compensation plan that was approved in May.
In other business:
¯ The legislature scheduled a public hearing on July 27 at 6:35 p.m. relating to reapportionment of county Legislature districts. Two maps have been submitted to the full legislature for review -- one with 17 districts and one with 19 districts. Legislators must approve one of the two plans later this year. The public hearing will take place in the legislature chambers, Gerace Office Building in Mayville.
¯ The legislature backed a motion in support of Assembly and Senate bills that would permit New York state-produced whole and 2% milk to be back in schools.