Head of New York Workers’ Compensation Board Stepping Down

Zachary Weiss, chairman of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, will resign from his post later this month to become a federal administrative law judge.

Weiss became chairman of the board in October 2007, and was instrumental in implementing the state’s workers’ compensation reforms enacted by the legislature that year. In a statement last month, Gov. David Paterson praised Weiss’ leadership in helping to rein in workers’ comp costs in a state which was among the country’s most expensive.

Weiss, in announcing his departure, said “together, we have made the changes necessary for the State to fulfill its obligation to both workers and employers. Benefits have increased while costs have decreased; injured workers are getting benefits faster; and we are using new tools to fight fraud.”

His resignation is effective July 21, but naming a replacement for Weiss may be difficult, given the political stalemate of the New York Senate. Control of the legislative body is not clear, following the decision last month of a key Democrat to break with his party and create a deadlock where Republicans and Democrats each control 31 seats.

There are two ways Paterson can name a replacement: elevate an existing board member to chairman, or appoint a new chairman who must be confirmed by the Senate. But neither appears likely scenario any time soon, given the political turmoil in Albany.