[Upbeat music]

(Kimberly Wood)
Oregon is one of the best workers' comp systems in the United States. There's a balance between

 what the employers are paying, the services that are being provided, and then the benefits that 

the employee receives. I think we've struck the right bargain and the right balance in Oregon.

(Narrator)
One of the most groundbreaking reforms was the creation of the Management-Labor Advisory Committee or MLAC.

The governor and legislators looked to this committee for guidance on changes to

Oregon's workers compensation system. Continuing the legacy of the 1990 reforms, the committee is

still made up of five members from both management and labor.

(John Mohlis) 
Whenever a bill is introduced that has to do with the workers' comp system it is normally referred to MLAC

first to see if MLAC can take a position on it and if MLAC says "yup, thumbs up we think

this is a good piece of legislation," it doesn't automatically mean that it's going to pass but

it has a pretty good chance of passing, whereas if MLAC says, "No this is a bad idea" then it usually doesn't get much legs.

(Diana Winther) 
The benefit of being in the MLAC system is that management and labor have to come together to talk about something. 

There's a lot of systems in which legislation is passed, there's maybe debates on the house floor and some 

behind the scenes activity but there isn't this same public discourse that's required 

before a piece of legislation or a significant change can pass on to becoming, you know, implemented.

(Jennifer Flood)
I believe through MLAC process versus without MLAC then I

don't believe that there would be as many voices heard and as many perspectives heard through that process. 

MLAC provides that opportunity and then can provide information to our legislators to make policy decisions.

(Narrator)
The committee is the reason Oregon has such a strong workers compensation system

While businesses pay some of the lowest rates in the country, injured 

workers get some of the most robust benefits, and everyone gains from strong safety measures, 

and an overall reduction in injuries. The Management-Labor Advisory Committee ensures balance so no

single narrow agenda can drive changes to workers compensation. It's a system that works for everyone.

(John Mohlis) 
I hope MLAC stays in place, and I would hope that people from both sides of the aisle that come sit

at the table, their intent and their desire when they're sitting at that table, is to do the right thing for the workers' comp system.

(Kimberly Wood)
Our predecessors really dug in and figured out this is how we want 

this system to work and so for those of us on MLAC, for those that come after the current

members, it's just so key that we continue to keep those tenants in mind as we go forward.

It's tantamount to our being able to maintain the system the way that it is.