Garamendi, McClintock Not Gray on Work Comp
By Robert Warne - August 8, 2003 Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi and California State Senator Tom McClintock are two gubernatorial candidates that aren’t gray when it comes to their views on workers’ compensation reform.
In fact, as they begin their 60-day sprint to replace Governor Gray Davis, the opposing candidates have made their views related to workers’ compensation reform black and white.
Out of the starting gate, McClintock has said that before lunch on his first day on the job as governor, he’ll call a special session of the legislature and give them 30 days to replace California’s workers’ compensation laws with Arizona’s.
He estimates that the cut and paste legislative move would slash work comp costs by 2/3.
And if they don’t act, he will take it to the ballot and let them explain it to the public.
Realizing that the door to the Governor’s office was wide open and within his reach, Garamendi told reporters Aug. 7 that, “We cannot run the risk of turning the state over to the likes of Tom McClintock.”
During his announcement that he would be embarking on his third campaign for governorship, he not only slammed McClintock but also took a swing at the Terminator.
“Schwarzenegger says he wants to go to Sacramento and clean house. I don't think he could even find a broom in Sacramento with his lack of experience,” said Garamendi.
The commissioner has been monitoring a legislative conference committee that was assembled in July to address all the aspects of workers’ compensation reform. Since taking office in January he’s been pushing to reform the major cost drivers that have pushed the state’s $29 billion to the brink of fiscal disaster.
As governor, he would be in the position to sign the work comp system reforms that he’s been calling for.
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