How One Farmer Closed a WC Loophole in His State

Tennessee farmers will soon be protected by the grand bargain, if the governor signs HB 2105 into law. The bill, which passed the state House 89-0 last week and the Senate 32-0 the week before, would clarify the state workers' compensation law and close a gap that lawmakers said could have left farm owners vulnerable to lawsuits, even if they had compensation coverage on their workers. It all started with Holt Shoaf, who farms more than 10,000 acres of cotton, corn and soybeans in west Tennessee, and employs at least 18 farmworkers, depending on the season. He also happens to be a lawyer...