Arnold’s State of the State Comp Statements By Robert Warne - January 7, 2004 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his State of the State address last night gave the Legislature till March 1st to deliver a real work comp reform package to his desk.
If the Legislature can’t do this or if they can only produce modest reforms, the governor said that he was prepared to take his work comp solution directly to the people for a vote in November.
Schwarzenegger explained how he is a salesman by nature. In reference to a couple of his box office bombs he said, “If I can sell tickets to my movies like Red Sonja or Last Action Hero, you know I can sell just about anything.”
But in order for him to sell California, and attract new business and create jobs he said the state’s business climate needed to be fixed, starting with workers’ compensation.
The Governor wants to bring California's workers' comp standards and costs in line with the rest of the country. He is also calling for a greater emphasis on healthcare and doctors rather than lawyers and judges and the implementation of the American Medical Association guidelines for rating permanent disability.
His ideas are embodied in the SBX4 3 legislation authored by Senator Chuck Poochigian, and the ABX4 1 legislation proposed by Assemblyman Abel Maldonado.
Even Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi is aiming for a Mach 1st deadline for the governor and Legislature to agree upon a complete reform package that would include his proposals.
In a statement, Garamendi said, "The Governor is correct. We must complete last years' reforms…Every Monday morning quarterback knows that winning the first half is good, but it means nothing unless you finish strong. The legislature and the Governor have until February to complete the reforms I've outlined in my roadmap.”
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