Governor Offers Deal on Occupational Disease, MEM Bill Advances

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefWith less than three weeks left in Missouri’s 2012 legislative session, Gov. Jay Nixon (D) has told legislative leaders that he's willing to sign a new version of a bill he vetoed earlier on handling co-worker liability and occupational disease in the workers’ compensation system – if workers with serious and deadly occupational diseases receive increased benefits.Business representatives reported they were encouraged by the governor’s comments, which were sent Monday in a letter to lawmakers, including Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. ...