If 18.5 percent of the projected $138 million in workers' compensation cost savings go to state and local governments, that would be about $25.5 million.
That is more than triple the projected additional cost of operating a dual workers' compensation system during transition years.
Other employers also would save money, which means “more businesses looking to move to Oklahoma and more (and better-paying) jobs,” Seney said.
Burke, who opposes an administrative system, disputes Seney's analysis.
He said the cost of operating a dual system is a “hard cost” that would have to be paid, while projected savings are based on projected workers' compensation awards that can vary considerably depending on things like how conservative or liberal the appointed administrative law judges are.
Seney also is assuming the law changes are constitutional, Burke said.
“I believe at least 17 of the provisions are blatantly unconstitutional,” Burke said, adding that if the courts throw out certain provisions of the legislation, the state could end up paying the extra costs of a dual system without realizing the cost benefits employers are hoping to achieve.
“And 98.5 percent of the savings would come on the backs of injured workers,” Burke contends.
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