Tampa Tribune Joins Opposition to Presumption Bill

The Tampa Tribune, in an editorial published Friday, said a bill that would create a presumption of compensability for cancers contracted by firefighters and paramedics is a costly mandate that lawmakers in Tallahassee should not impose on local taxpayers. Firefighters already have a presumption that heart and lung disease are occupational conditions. And a state study found those presumptions added about $8 million in new costs for local governments. Senate Bill 456, by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, would add to those costs by establishing a presumption that any cancer suffered by firefi...