Schwarzenegger presses for workers' comp deal

Sac Bee ^ | 3/17/04 | Margaret Talev

[NormsRevenge]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday ramped up pressure for a legislative deal to reduce workers' compensation costs, asking farmers to help him qualify a business-backed alternative for the November ballot in case lawmakers fail to reach a compromise.

"Right now, we are gathering signatures, so if you see signature gatherers at the malls all around this state, go up to those signature gatherers, sign in, put your signature down and get a clear message out there, that you want to get rid of the fraud and the abuse of workers' compensation," Schwarzenegger told hundreds gathered outside the Capitol to celebrate California Ag Day.

[NormsRevenge]

special interests .. meet .. special effects

[liberallarry]

Yep. The rhetoric is baloney. All interests are "special". But the Governator intends to reduce workman's comp costs. What's wrong with that?

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the bump.

Fraud and Deception in Workers' Comp Battle by: Doug Heller

Arnold has been campaigning against fraud and deception in the workers compensation system, but there's new deception in his campaign to change the system. Arnold has received $452,000 in campaign contributions from eight of the nation's largest workers' comp insurers into campaign committees he controls. Now he has moved a million dollars from his California Recovery Team committee to an initiative campaign that would limit what Californians receive after a workplace injury, but do nothing to limit what insurance companies charge to California businesses or earn in profits.

Because of this sleight of hand, the insurers' role in the battle will largely be hidden.

One week ago the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau said that insurance costs would be $7 billion less than had been previously projected, indicating that insurance rates should be lowered for the state's businesses. But rather than pushing insurers to reduce workers' compensation rates, Arnold has pressed for insurer-supported legislation.

In recent weeks, the Gov stepped up the campaign by sending letters to business owners around the state asking them to sign a petition to lawmakers demanding that the politicians enact Arnold's workers' comp plan or else face a showdown at the ballot box.

The initiative shell game started with Arnold's Props 57 & 58 campaign -- when TV ads told voters that funding for the measures came largely from "Governor Schwarzenegger‚s California Recovery Team," even though big developers, financiers and other special interests were actually funding the Recovery Team. Similarly, when the workers' comp initiative ads appear, the insurers' will not be identified.

Arnold, who said at a rally recently that he is not going to be pushed around by special interests, is unwilling to push back on the insurers that have given him nearly a half a million. But, at least, he should stop playing the game of "hide the contributor" that will allow insurers to fight their war without having to show their face on the battlefield.

[liberallarry]

One week ago the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau said that insurance costs would be $7 billion less than had been previously projected, indicating that insurance rates should be lowered for the state's businesses...

Because of this sleight of hand, the insurers' role in the battle will largely be hidden.

I don't believe any of this.

Do you think business interests and trial lawyers are going to just stand by and allow this to happen? They have plenty of money. They'll investigate and lobby like hell to make sure insurance companies pass on their savings. The truth will out.

Of course, that doesn't mean the public will get it. They can always vote to screw themselves...as often happens.

[liberallarry]

Possibly relevant

New Momentum for Letting U.S. Help Regulate Nation's Insurers

[NormsRevenge]

In the bigger scheme of things, it's relevant. Lots of dough involved, that's for sure.

Good article , Thanks.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

"Right now, we are gathering signatures, so if you see signature gatherers at the malls all around this state, go up to those signature gatherers, sign in, put your signature down and get a clear message out there, that you want to get rid of the fraud and the abuse of workers' compensation," Schwarzenegger told hundreds gathered outside the Capitol to celebrate California Ag Day.

OK, I'll do that!

[NormsRevenge]

I must admit I am not up on what the latest proposed versus preferred reduction in comp rates are at the moment.. Anything less than 50% (sounds like a nice number) should guarantee an initiative action if that is what it takes.

Outside parties (Big Insurance Co., Inc)should not be allowed to milk the state anymore than the herd can realistically tolerate or is ethically "acceptable".