KINDER, OTHERS SEEK SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Saying lawmakers neglected workers' compensation reform in the just-ended session, Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, told the Cape Girardeau Lions Club Wednesday that a majority of Missouri's senators and representatives sent a letter this week to Gov. Mel Carnahan requesting a special session of the legislature.

Kinder said he and a bipartisan group of 17 other state senators and 83 House members signed the letter requesting Carnahan to call the special session to discuss reform.

"Missouri has fallen behind in terms of workers' compensation reform," he said, "and it will cost us more jobs."

Kinder said legislation in other states has driven the price of workers' compensation insurance down to a point that makes Missouri unappealing for business. He said the businesses that chose to stay in the state are paying premiums that are soaring.

"Gov Carnahan says he doesn't want to tinker with the 1993 workers' comp reforms," Kinder said. "It is a shame we are losing jobs to this head-in-the-sand mentality."

The letter asks the governor to address issues that contribute to the "escalating costs" of the insurance either during the annual September veto session or during a special session.

"I can only hope that the governor takes the concerns of thousands of Missouri employers seriously enough to address this issue honestly and openly, and soon," Kinder said. "It is time for the governor to act."