The Second Injury Fund continued to be quite the political hot potato today in the Capitol with passionate floor debate before a tight 82-70 vote to approve the budget bill that among other things switches SIF lawyers from the attorney general’s office to the Department of Labor.
State Rep. Jeff Harris took issue with one department being responsible for trying the cases and adjudicating them. During the debate Republicans Steve Hunter and Jim Lemke recalled the history of corruption related to SIF.
True, said Harris, but he pointed out that the corruption took place under the watch of a Republican.
“Let’s not revisit the days of Bill Webster,” Harris said.
Also today, the Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers issued a news release pointing out a coalition of groups, including the AARP and the Vietnam Veterans of America oppose the changes outlined by Hunter.
“We oppose any move to abolish the Second Injury Fund or any proposal which caps or substantially hinders the fund’s ability to fulfill its current statutory role,” said the AARP’s Norma Collins.
Stay tuned.