I-1082 doesn’t deal with the sexy issues of taxes, but with industrial insurance. We know: Yawn.

But, make no mistake, the state’s monopoly on workers compensation is just as insidious as taxes and hurts our economy.

Today, both employers and employees pay into a fund that provides benefits to injured workers. But since it is a government fund, and the state can increase insurance rates at will, there’s no incentive to keep costs in line. Letting private insurance compete for workers compensation dollars will bring a more efficient system.

Doing this isn’t anything new. It’s being done this way in 46 other states. Why not Washington?

Washington also is the only state in the nation that requires workers to pay their own taxes as their part of insurance coverage.

If I-1082 passes, workers won’t have to pay their share of the insurance costs, businesses will. But even then, competition should make insurance rates go down, saving businesses money.

Oregon, for example, hasn’t needed a tax increase for such a program in 20 years. Washington? Taxes have gone up 53 percent since 2000.

I-1082 will end the state’s monopoly on workers insurance, bringing a fairer, more financially stable system. Vote ‘Yes’ on I-1082.