The case for more homegrown fuel
Even though fuel prices remain high, the increased use of corn ethanol is helping temper those price increases. And it’s also benefiting the farmers who grow the corn.
Read MoreGov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud proposed giving up to $1.6 billion to Ohio employers this spring to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Ohio’s economy and business community.
“This is great news for Ohio’s businesses, and will assist in relieving some of the financial pressures many are experiencing,” DeWine said. “Administrator McCloud and I both encourage businesses to reinvest this money in the health and safety of their employees.”
BWC’s Board of Directors will hold an emergency virtual meeting Friday, April 10 to vote on the proposed dividend, which equals 100% of the premium employers paid in policy year 2018. As in previous years, the dividend is possible because of strong investment returns on employer premiums, a declining number of claims each year, and prudent fiscal management.
“This dividend is possible in no small part to the employers in our state that have worked hard to improve workplace safety and reduce injury claims,” said McCloud, noting checks will be going to employers later this month. “We are also fortunate that despite the market’s recent downturn, our fiscal position is strong enough to allow for this dividend while maintaining funds to take care of injured workers for years to come.”
BWC provides workers’ compensation insurance to more than 248,000 private and public employers in Ohio. Should the proposed dividend total $1.6 billion:
The proposal follows other recent moves by BWC to ease the strain on employers this year. In late March, BWC told employers they could defer their monthly premium installment payments for March, April, and May until June 1. BWC also waived or postponed some requirements and deadlines for several programs that reduce employer premiums and applied the discounts automatically.
If approved by the board, the dividend would be BWC’s sixth of $1 billion or more since 2013 and seventh overall in that time. It also continues BWC’S trend of lowering workers’ comp costs for Ohio’s private and public employers. BWC has repeatedly lowered premium rates in recent years, including a 10% cut for public employers that took effect in January and a 13% cut for private employers that begins July 1.
In total, BWC has saved employers approximately $10 billion in workers’ comp costs through dividends, credits, rate reductions and greater efficiencies since 2011.
For more on COVID-19 as it relates to BWC, visit this Frequently Asked Questions page. For other questions about COVID-19 related to BWC, email [email protected].
For the latest on COVID-19, visit the Ohio Department of Health website or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Even though fuel prices remain high, the increased use of corn ethanol is helping temper those price increases. And it’s also benefiting the farmers who grow the corn.
Read MoreThe 2022 Water Quality Status Report highlights how signature water quality initiatives have had major roles improving and protecting clean water, one of the state’s most valuable resources.
Read MoreBWC’s free safety consulting services link Ohio’s agriculture employers with safety and health professionals who will work to help reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau submitted public comments in a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a proposed rule that could severely impact family farms by requiring climate disclosures by public companies.
Read MoreStephan Shehy will represent the interests of Farm Bureau members with the Ohio General Assembly and throughout state government.
Read MoreKirsten Ameling will be engaging members at an individualized level by connecting the organization to the member based on their needs.
Read MoreOhio has seen a steady increase in the growth of beekeeping — particularly in backyard beekeeping.
Read MoreSo far, governors in eight Midwestern states have taken the action of notifying the EPA that they wish to switch to this fuel.
Read MoreA bill introduced by State Representatives Darrell Kick and Rodney Creech would create a more direct legal route for a landowner to receive compensation when property is taken by the government without compensation.
Read MoreSupport for a new state-of-the-art Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture is part of this funding.
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