In the speech, he called on Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and Lieutenant Governor John Wilder to convene the General Assembly’s Select Joint Committee on Workers’ Compensation and, with key members of his cabinet serving in an advisory capacity, open a dialogue on workers’ comp reform that would make Tennessee more competitive. He was adamant that he didn’t want this to become an ideological or partisan battle, saying “It’s about jobs plain and simple -- that’s something in which everyone should have an interest.”

Bredesen said he wants to move quickly to tackle the issue of workers’ comp. “I don’t want this to become another blue ribbon panel…I want to sign a bill this year.”

The Governor outlined a number of specific instances where companies decided not to locate or expand in Tennessee because workers’ comp costs were so much higher here. He also cited a number of examples of where Tennessee was operating at a competitive disadvantage including the fact that we are the only state in the Southeast that doesn’t require some sort of administrative review as a first step before taking claims to court; unlike many, we have no medical fee schedule to contain costs; and we’re routinely cited as having a confusing and inconsistent method for determining disability benefits.

To read his entire speech, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.tennessee.gov/governor.

Remarks the Governor gave following his speech about this issue in Nashville.