ARNOLD MAY MAKE DEAL ON COMP REFORMS RATE REGULATION A POSSIBILITY.Byline: David M. Drucker and Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO - A day after his administration insisted it was committed to a workers' compensation workers' compensation, payment by employers for some part of the cost of injuries, or in some cases of occupational diseases, received by employees in the course of their work. reform package that relied on free-market principles, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] indicated his willingness Wednesday to accept state rate regulation as part of a compromise. Speaking to reporters after spending about 15 minutes gathering signatures for his workers' compensation insurance reform initiative, Schwarzenegger sounded optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op a legislative deal could be reached by Friday, but urged Californians to sign the petition to put his plan on the Nov. 2 ballot in case lawmakers fail to act. ``It is extremely important that we get rid of the poison poison, any agent that may produce chemically an injurious or deadly effect when introduced into the body in sufficient quantity. Some poisons can be deadly in minute quantities, others only if relatively large amounts are involved. of our economy, which is workers' compensation costs,'' Schwarzenegger said outside a Costco store in suburban Sacramento. ``We are talking about, how do we make sure that the (savings) get passed on to (businesses). ... (T)his is all part of the negotiations.'' The cost of workers' compensation insurance - which covers medical treatment and disability payments for employees injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. on the job - has tripled on businesses in recent years even as accident rates have declined or remained stagnant stagnant /stag·nant/ (stag´nant) 1. motionless; not flowing or moving. 2. inactive; not developing or progressing. . Businesses are required by law to carry the insurance, and Schwarzenegger promised while campaigning for governor last year to reform the system. The Republican governor has given the Democrat-controlled Legislature a deadline of Friday to agree to his $11 billion overhaul plan or a variation of it, or else he will take his plan to the November ballot. Just under 600,000 valid signatures are due in the Secretary of State's Office in mid-April for the initiative to qualify. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said he believes it is possible to have the framework of a deal in place by Friday or early next week, and to pass legislation for the governor to sign before April 1, when lawmakers are scheduled to leave Sacramento for their spring recess. ``It's possible, but this is one that's such a complex issue that the devil's devil's pertaining to the devil; said of something evil. devil's apple solanumcapsicoides. devil's bit see scabiosa succisa. devil's droppings see asafetida. in the details in a lot of this language,'' Nunez said. He accused proponents of Schwarzenegger's initiative of ``grandstanding'' and said it was irresponsible ir·re·spon·si·ble adj. 1. Marked by a lack of responsibility: irresponsible accusations. 2. Lacking a sense of responsibility; unreliable or untrustworthy. 3. to collect signatures when legislative negotiations are progressing so well. But he stopped short of criticizing the governor, who was busy collecting signatures even as Nunez spoke. Still, Nunez acknowledged that Schwarzenegger's signature gathering ``bothers me,'' and said those who support the initiative are doing so for political reasons, not because they want reform. Although there are conflicting reports of just how close lawmakers are to a deal - Democrats contend the negotiations are ``90 percent'' complete, but Republicans dispute that - rate regulation has emerged as the most contentious item to be resolved. Democrats, and the trial lawyer and doctor groups they represent, say rate regulation will ensure that cost savings benefit businesses, not insurance companies. Republicans, supported by small businesses and the insurance industry, contend regulation will discourage insurers from doing business in California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). and will block long-term Long-term Three or more years. In the context of accounting, more than 1 year. long-term 1. Of or relating to a gain or loss in the value of a security that has been held over a specific length of time. Compare short-term. rate reductions. Sam Sorich, president of the Association of California Insurance Companies, said the industry has already begun to lower its rates based on last year's reforms, and argued for more time to let that action work. David M. Drucker, (916) 442-5096 david.drucker(at)dailybulletin.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Arnold Schwarzenegger Willing to compromise |
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