CA: Perata delays panel hearing (for workers'comp director position) (PeRATaGate)

Sac Bee ^ | 2/19/05 | Gilbert Chan

[NormsRevenge]

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata on Friday postponed a confirmation hearing for a state official tapped by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to carry out the overhaul of the California workers' compensation system.

Influential labor and legal organizations are pressuring Democratic lawmakers to oust Andrea Hoch, the administrative director of the Division of Workers' Compensation.

Her critics, including Perata and other Democratic legislators, assert that new formulas she crafted to determine permanent disability benefits would cut payments by up to 70 percent and reduce medical care for severely injured workers.

Hoch declined comment Friday. A Schwarzenegger spokesman indicated the governor will fight to retain her.

"Ms. Hoch has done an excellent job of implementing the law the Legislature passed," said Vince Sollitto, the spokesman. "The governor would like to see the Legislature approve her nomination."

The first step toward that is securing the approval of the five-member Senate Rules Committee, which Perata chairs. Since Democrats outnumber Republicans by 3-to-2, it is possible that Hoch's nomination could be kept from reaching the Senate floor.

--snip--

What's next?

By law, the Senate panel has until May 3 to decide on the appointment of Andrea Hoch as administrative director of the Division of Workers' Compensation. She would be forced to leave office if no vote is taken by then.

Who will make the decision? Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, chairman; Sen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, vice chairman; Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield; Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Marina Del Rey; Sen. Gilbert Cedillo, D-Los Angeles.

[NormsRevenge]

Gil Cedillo???

Mr. Move 'em all North and give 'em benefits and licenses has a vote.