402 Tacoma Avenue S., Suite 200 TACOMA, WA 98402 PHONE (253) 627-4853 FAX (253) 627-2253
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
Vol. CXXIII, No. 182
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Since 1890
L&I proposes no increase in workers' comp rates
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced Monday it is proposing no increase in the average rate for workers' compensation insurance. If adopted, this would be the second straight year with no increase in workers' comp rates. Savings due to reforms are beating expectations, according to L&I Director Judy Schurke. L&I is now projecting the reforms passed in 2011 will save $1.5 billion over four years, $300 million higher than originally estimated. While the reforms play an important part in lowering costs, Schurke pointed to additional factors responsible for lower costs in 2013, including fewer claims in high hazard industries like construction are resulting in fewer long-term disabilities; overall claim frequency, or the number of claims per 100 workers, has gone down by 6.2 percent; L&I has held medical cost growth below 4 percent over the past five quarters and expects continuing to do so in 2013 with the new provider network and health technology assessments; and L&I is resolving claims more quickly as a result of Lean and other improvements. This week's proposal would mean an additional $82 million is placed in the State Fund reserves by the end of 2013. In the past, the State Auditor issued strong warnings about the consequences of maintaining inadequate reserves. Schurke also acknowledged the reserves are critically low by industry standards due to increased liabilities, investment losses and drawing down the reserves to hold down rates during the recession. The Workers Compensation Advisory Committee (WCAC), which has been working with L&I on a plan to rebuild the reserves, endorsed L&I's proposal to hold rates steady in 2013 and begin rebuilding the reserves. Washington is the only state where workers pay a substantial portion of premiums. Workers will pay about 24 percent of the premiums in 2013. The proposal to keep rates flat in 2013 is an average for all Washington employers. Individual employers may see their rates go up or down, depending on their recent claims history and changes in the frequency and cost of claims in their industry. Every year in Washington, about 100,000 claims are filed for medical costs and lost wages due to work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Each year, L&I must review premium rates and make adjustments to cover the anticipated costs of claims that occur in the next year. More information regarding the rate proposal is available online at Rates.Lni.wa.gov. The final rates will be adopted in early December and go into effect Jan. 1, 2013.
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Frances Skidmore, 89; family owned Tacoma Daily Index
By Todd Matthews, Editor Frances C. Skidmore, the widow of the late Marshall Skidmore, a former owner and publisher of the Tacoma Daily Index, passed away earlier this month at the age of 89. Her death was confirmed this week by her daughter, Marsha Perry, who said Skidmore died of ovarian cancer. According to an obituary published Sept. 9 in The News Tribune, Skidmore was born in Pateros, Wash., on April 10, 1923. The daughter of an orchardist, she harvested and sold the family's produce. She attended Washington State University and worked for a few years in Spokane before moving to Tacoma to work as case worker at the Washington State Department of Social and Human Services. In 1959, she married Marshall and raised two children, Marsha Perry and Robert Skidmore, in Tacoma. When their children were born, she quit working for the state to help Marshall run the Index and raise their children. When Marsha Perry was just a toddler, her mother ran the newspaper for a couple months while her father battled tuberculosis. "Grandma watched me while mom went to work," Perry recalled. "She did all she could to support him." After the kids were raised, Frances went back to work as a case worker for the state in Puyallup. Marshall Skidmore passed away on July 23, 2007, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 83 years old. The Index dates back to 1890, and no one owned the paper longer than Skidmore, who worked at the county clerk's office and, later, as an outdoor advertising salesman before entering a partnership to co-own the Index in 1960 (he eventually bought out his partner in 1973). In total, he had an ownership stake in the company for 37 years before selling it to Sound Publishing and retiring in 1997. In an interview with the Index in 2007, shortly after Marshall passed away, Frances recalled meeting Marshall while waterskiing on American Lake with a co-worker. "I wasn't sure about him," she recalled. "But I quickly found out he was a straight shooter." She also recalled how Marshall made a good wage working in advertising, but didn't like the job. When an acquaintance at the county clerk's office approached Marshall with an opportunity to co-own the Index, Skidmore was apprehensive. He and Frances (or "Fran," as friends called her) were newlyweds and new homeowners, and wanted to raise a family. The venture would require an investment from Skidmore, a cut in
pay, and some uncertainty as to whether the paper would continue to operate. That evening, Marshall and Frances discussed the opportunity. Although Frances was equally nervous, she urged Skidmore to take a risk. "I know that your job is not all that you would like. Why Frances C. Skidmore, don’t we try Frances the widow of the late this?" recalled telling Marshall Skidmore, a Marshall. When former owner and pubMarshall decided lisher of the Tacoma Daily Index, passed away to invest in the earlier this month at the Index, Frances's age of 89. In her retire- salary went toment, Frances served on ward the house the Tacoma Daycare and payment. It was Preschool Board of Direc- up to Marshall tors. She enjoyed music to earn money and following local working at the sports teams, especially paper to help everyday the Washington State with University Cougars. expenses. In her retirement, Frances served on the Tacoma Daycare and Preschool Board of Directors. She enjoyed music and following local sports teams, especially the Washington State University Cougars. This spring, Perry traveled with her mother to Pateros for Frances's 70th high school reunion. As a young woman, Frances was named Miss Pateros. "That scared her to death because she had to ride on this float in Wenatchee," said Perry. "'I almost fainted and fell off,' she told me." Frances Skidmore passed away peacefully at her home on Tues., Sept. 4. Survivors include daughter Marsha Perry; son Rev. Robert Skidmore; grandchildren Michael, Emily, and Andrew Skidmore, and Clara, Samuel and Hannah Perry. A memorial service was held on Weds., Sept. 12, at the Mountain View Funeral Home Garden Chapel. Donations may be made to Children's Home Society, P.O. Box 123, Vaughn, WA 98394.