Workers' Comp Wounds

After the Senate adjourned tonight, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Todd Staples (R-Palestine) took a few pot shots at the House, in particular Rep. Burt Solomons, over the stalled workers' compensation reform. As Quorum Report noted, House members of the conference committee stood up their Senate colleagues this afternoon at a planned meeting behind the Senate floor. Staples said he planned another try at gathering the conferees tomorrow at 11 a.m. to reach a compromise between Senate Bill 5 and House Bill 7. To encourage the House members to attend, Staples and Dewhurst lobed some insults toward the lower chamber.

"This is what people hate about politics," Dewhurst said. "I mean, give me a break. We passed a bill out in March, and you've got people standing on ego for months."

Dewhurst continued referring to Solomons: "We've known there has been a problem of one House member who felt he should have his name on the bill but didn't get his act together before the Senate passed a bill first. Let's put the injured workers first."

In all fairness, Solomons has worked on workers' comp reform for several years. And it's not as if the Lite Gov. and Senator Statewide haven't been standing on ego too. We'll find out tomorrow if their salvos bring Solomons to the table in a deal-making mood.