It Figures

$1.5 Billion

Projected budget deficit Colorado lawmakers are grappling with, as they evaluate proposals to slash spending for public education, higher education, Medicaid and other programs. Among the proposals being considered by the Governor is a sale of the state’s interest in Pinnacol Assurance, a state-chartered workers’ compensation insurer. Pinnacol has more than $2 billion in assets, and the Governor has hired a firm to evaluate what the state’s share would be worth. The Legislature would have to approve any sale. (AP)

5.5%

Percentage of all California job injury claims agricultural claims represented. According to an “Industry Scorecard” published by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute, agricultural claims cost the California workers’ compensation system $1.46 billion in loss payments, and represented 5.9 percent of the state’s workers’ comp benefit payments.