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Business Lobby Counting On Premium Sticker Shock

About of third of Florida businesses are learning how much more they will have to pay for workers’ compensation insurance, and industry groups hope the sticker shock spurs lawmakers to act.

National Federation of Independent Business Florida director Bill Herrle says the notices will continue to pile up until lawmakers make good on their promise to address a pair of Florida Supreme Court rulings.

“That’s starting to sink in with business owners and when we hit February 1, about another 12 to 15 percent of business owners out there will see their bills increase.”

The rulings struck down former Governor Jeb Bush’s business-friendly reforms, sparking a 528-million-dollar increase in premiums. Lawmakers are vowing to overhaul the system, but no legislation has been filed.

A Miami native, former WFSU reporter Jim Ash is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, most of it in print. He has been a member of the Florida Capital Press Corps since 1992.