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Businesses throughout California plan to begin collecting signatures this week for an initiative they hope will never get on the ballot: a wide-ranging proposal aimed at lowering their skyrocketing bills for workers' compensation insurance. Some of the organizers of the drive, which is being spearheaded by such groups as the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, say they would prefer that the Legislature fix workers' comp rather than relying on the expensive initiative process. But they hope the signature-gathering drive will pressure the Legislature to act faster. If the Legislature doesn't act by the April...

Alan B. Krueger is the Bendheim professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University. AFTER winning authority to borrow to keep the state afloat, the next test of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ability to govern will not involve gay marriage or a constitutional amendment permitting immigrants to be president. Instead, it will be fixing the crisis in California’s workers’ compensation system, the program that provides cash benefits and medical services to millions of workers injured on the job. “I call on the Legislature to deliver real workers’ comp reform to my desk by March 1,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said in his...

<p>SACRAMENTO (AP) - When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger demanded in his State of the State speech that lawmakers produce significant workers' compensation savings by March 1, Senate leader John Burton grumbled that the deadline was unrealistic.</p> <p>"You can do it," the Republican governor said with a smile as he turned toward Burton, who was sitting behind him during the Jan. 6 address.</p>

Ask friends of yours who happen to own their own large or small business, what has happened to their worker's compensation premiums in the last three years. Every one that I have spoken to has told me that his rates have at least doubled, and most businessmen have seen a 300 or 400 percent increases. This problem has been around for at least two years, since ex-Governor Davis increased worker's compensation benefits in March 2002. Soon thereafter, insurance rates began to skyrocket. For those who do not know, worker's compensation insurance pays for workers who are injured ''on the job.''...

Ask any friend of yours who happens to own his own business, no matter how big or small, what has happened to his workers’ compensation premiums the last three years. Every one I have asked has told me their rates have at least doubled. Most have seen 300 or 400 percent increases. This problem has been around for at least two years, when then- Gov. Gray Davis increased workers’ compensation benefits in March 2002. Soon thereafter, insurance rates began to skyrocket. For those who do not know, workers’ compensation insurance pays for workers who are injured “on the job.” The...

<p>Californians who are injured at work spend more time off the job than do people in almost every other state.</p> <p>Is the Golden State inherently a more dangerous place to work? It doesn't seem to be. Do workers here suffer more crippling injuries? No. Is the health care in California substandard? That's never been alleged.</p>

The governor is getting into a tricky new campaign, and -- if he wants Californians to keep siding with him -- he needs to watch out for his propensity for cheerily dismissing behavior on his part that doesn't sit so well with others. You're a sly one if you guessed I want to talk about the insurance and health care industries. These fat cats gave scads of money to Gov. Gray Davis, and now some are pouring fortunes into the coffers of Arnold Schwarzenegger's various campaign committees. Unless you've been stuck in solitary confinement, you know that Schwarzenegger refuses to...

<p>SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's sweeping workers' compensation bill could face its first test in the Legislature next week, but a key lawmaker doubts it will pass unless it's substantially amended.</p> <p>"If they don't amend it, I don't think it's going anywhere," Assemblyman Juan Vargas said Thursday. "I don't think it's a good bill. There's a lot of things damaging in there for workers."</p>

<p>With the Legislature all but ignoring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's March 1 deadline for workers' compensation reform, battle lines are being drawn around the increasing likelihood that the issue will be decided by voters in November.</p> <p>Sponsors for three workers' compensation initiatives proposed for the fall ballot agreed recently to consolidate their efforts behind one plan, which is waiting for clearance to begin the signature-gathering process. The proponents also raised nearly $1.7 million in the past two weeks to support their effort, according to filings with the secretary of state.</p>

<p>It began as a routine review of the newly delivered 2004 California labor code late last week.</p> <p>It ended in a stunning discovery -- an embarrassing legislative faux pas that has left the state office in charge of running California's massive workers' compensation system with only enough money to keep its doors open for another five weeks.</p>

ARCADIA, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation on Thursday that would have increased the takeout on exotic wagers for races in California to help cover the soaring costs of workers' compensation policies held by horsemen. Racing officials said Schwarzenegger's veto was a major setback for an industry that is facing high operating costs in California and losing horsemen and horses to circuits in other states. The legislation, which sailed through the State Assembly and Senate with little opposition, was vetoed because the governor feared it could conflict with his long-term plans to reform the state's beleaguered workers' compensation system,...

<p>HUNTINGTON -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Capehart Wednesday outlined a plan for West Virginia’s workers’ compensation program that would give workers incentives to return to private payrolls.</p> <p>Capehart, meeting with The Herald-Dispatch editorial board, said his plan would focus on what happens to workers after they are placed on the workers' compensation role. Injured workers would be required to participate in physical rehabilitation and vocational retraining, so that they would eventually return to work in some capacity.</p>

<p>SACRAMENTO (AP) - State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi predicted Wednesday that lawmakers can reach agreement by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's March 1 deadline on legislation that would substantially reduce workers' compensation costs.</p> <p>But he said Schwarzenegger's goal of cutting $11 billion out of the 91-year-old system is unrealistic and that the workers' comp bill the governor is backing "just doesn't work."</p>

<p>In a move that could put heat on the Legislature to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system, a business group with ties to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a ballot initiative that would mandate many of Schwarzenegger's proposals for cutting workers' comp costs.</p>

In a move to combat California's out-of-control workers compensation system, the Small Business Action Committee (SBAC) today announced that it has filed an initiative to reduce the cost of the system by as much as $10 billion. Titled "The Workers Compensation Reform Act," the initiative will introduce much-needed reforms to a system which has tripled in costs in the past 8 years alone, driving businesses and jobs out of California. The proposed initiative will provide a comprehensive set of solutions for California's worker's compensation system including: uniform standards for rating injuries; a reduction in excessive litigation; and more benefits for...

<p>Only hours after he took office Nov. 17, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acted on one of the cornerstones of his campaign, unveiling a sweeping plan to overhaul California's beleaguered workers' compensation system. Assembly and Senate committees responded quickly with hearings on his proposal, which aimed to slash $11.3 billion in costs from a bloated 90-year-old state program.</p>

<p>SACRAMENTO – Putting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on the spot, a state Senate committee voted Tuesday to overturn reforms the insurance commissioner says should slash basic workers' compensation insurance rates nearly 15 percent.</p> <p>In his campaign for governor, Schwarzenegger labeled the overhaul "bogus," but groups representing businesses and local governments say the changes will result in significant savings.</p>

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger's push for more workers' compensation savings for businesses is likely to turn into a long struggle rather than a quick fix. The former action movie hero plans to call a special legislation session after he takes office next Monday to try to speed approval of cost-saving legislation. "This is a critical issue the governor-elect believes needs to be addressed as soon as possible," said Schwarzenegger spokesman H. D.. Palmer. "It is one of the major issues that has caused businessmen and women to make difficult decisions on whether they are going to have to...

<p>SAN JOSE -- State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi shocked insurers and business leaders Thursday by recommending workers' compensation insurance rates be slashed by an average of 14.9 percent, nearly triple the number proposed by a key advisory group.</p> <p>"The cost of workers' compensation insurance to every employer in the state of California should decline to the July 2002 level, eliminating the increases that have plagued business," Garamendi said.</p>

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The mother of a man who killed three people and wounded five at a factory before committing suicide filed a workers' compensation claim, saying her son suffered "death by gunfire" at work. "I don't feel I should have to pay for the actions that he chose to do," said Nina Tichelkamp-Russell, who filed the claim 10 days after the July 1 shooting at the Modine Manufacturing Co. "I think if there are indicators (of a problem at work) then there are certain people out there who have a responsibility." The company rejected the claim for death...