Posted on 07/02/2009 3:47:25 AM PDT by wolfcreek
Perry told the audience that the industry owes its success to the state's business-friendly motto: "Let free enterprise reign, and be wary of over-regulation."
(Excerpt) Read more at news8austin.com ...
"According to news reports, Texas has seen 145 construction deaths since 2007. The number includes 67 in 2008 and 33 so far this year. Hispanic worker deaths increased by 125 percent in Texas from 1992 to 2005."
The recent deaths of 3 illegal workers sparked this latest round of Fed inquiry, IMO.
With Cap and Trade, the Federal Government has basically delclared war on Texas and other energy producing states. I hope Guv Good Hair gives the “fu” to anything the gubmint says or suggests.
*Hispanic* worker ping.
I wish they would go ahead and declare all Fed regulations null and void. Go ahead and produce all the energy you can, and send on up here to Kansas. We’re gonna need it.
Supposedly, OSHA is sending more inspectors to Texas to oversee construction projects. (yes we have a bunch of those)
My question: Can illegal workers be covered under federal safety laws and under the construction company’s insurance policy?
The Inspectors probably are looking for a place that is doing construction to inspect and The Republic of Texas is the biggest target.
Central Texas (Bell County, Williamson County) has one of the highest EMPLOYMENT rates in the country. This has got to bother the big government states...
I still have no use for governor Good Hair but he beats what the going broke blue states have...
I saw an interesting blurb yesterday that the INS has sent a head's-up letter to about 680 employers to expect an audit of their employment records for compliance. They're stepping up efforts to attack illegals taking American jobs. Must be a union favor. Not a bad idea, but meanwhile, drug thugs are taking over entire cities.
“I still have no use for governor Good Hair but he beats what the going broke blue states have...”
Guess it’s a good thing he’s running for reelection. (with an actual challenger) He really been sucking up to us Texans lately.
Also, Obama openly admits he's doing these *inspections* to garner favor for a new round of *Amnesty* talks.
Florida received the same scrutiny a couple years ago.
The problem isn’t overregulation as much as non compliance due to apathy from the employers.
Illegals are subject to OSHA as are their employers, it is the comp companies that need to raise the issue since they are probably not getting their premiums based on precise payroll figures.
The cost of fall protection is nothing compared to the cost of fatalities and crippling injuries.
Wouldn’t the insurance companies seek to deny claims from illegal workers or their families?
Actually, our Texas Governor has very little power. It is the State Legislature and the Railroad Commissioner that wield the power. I think Perry has done ok...he stays out of the way. What worries me is the latest announcement about the the former Ranger owner ( I forgot his name) is going to run for governor...he is a Democrat and people here may be so feed up with the way the Republicans are acting...not being forceful enough, they may vote him in for “change”!! I think I have had enough of democratic “change”.
Comp premiums are based on a risk factor number per $100 of payroll.
If the company is underreporting payroll then the insurance company can make a case that the worker was not covered, especially if the worker is paid cash.
My guess is that some subcontractor bought some day labor and didn’t put much effort into ensuring the workers had a safe worksite.
Texas is a ‘right-to-work’ state. I am sure the unions would like to change that.
Or the *workers* were not properly trained in safety proceadures.
I’m not crazy about Gov GoodHair either, but I am not willing to put in a Senator who has spent the last 18 years on Capitol Hill. She has been steeped in comity, non-agressive dialog and ‘get along by going along’ politics for almost two decades. Texas got to where we are by grit, intelligence and a little ‘in your face’. Kay is not stupid but she lacks the other parts of a Texan’s backbone.
fubo
Yes the free enterprise system has done such a good job with the building trade industry. Just look to the Chinese Drywall fiasco. Who needs another pesky regulation scheme. I mean, who don’t enjoy getting sick in your brand new home and having your electrical wires and plumbing corroded. For that matter why bother with building codes. If i want a straw roof, that is my right correct??
There are more than enough *state* rules/laws to cover the construction industry and the citizenry without the damn Feds getting involved.
I do understand your concern with corp-corruption.
I couldn’t bring myself to vote for Perry last time around. As a matter of fact, I left the governor slot empty when I voted. This time, I will be voting for Perry in the primary and general election. I can’t stand KBH.
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