02/18/05 Political charges at retro bill hearing

Washington Ag February 18, 2005 Democratic sponsored legislation proponents say would reform the Department of Labor and Industry's Retro Safety program drew a charge of political payback from business interests at a House hearing this week in Olympia. And that did not sit well with Steve Conway, chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee. Jeff Hanzel of the Building Industry Association of Washington was the first at the hearing to accuse Democrats of being politically motivated, which resulted in this exchange between Conway and Hanzel. Conway: "I am interested in hearing the BIAW retro program and how successful it is in reducing injury. Believe me, I think that is what this hearing is about. With that in mind I would respectfully ask you not tell us what our motives our. (Hanzel) Well, respectfully sir, I think, I have, my opinion. This is my opinion sir. (Conway) That's fine. (Hanzel) I do believe this is a blatant partisan play. (Conway) Again I am going to ask you to be to be real careful." The Washington State Farm Bureau, which operates a retro program, also sees House Bill 1875 as a means of political revenge by its backers. The legislation would among other things, prevent organizations with retro programs from using their workers' comp premium refunds for political activities. I'm Bob Hoff.