Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Man Who Can Make Miracles Happen

[Headache in a Suitcase]

By TOM CHORNEAU, Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Mixing Hollywood charm with political muscle, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) has engineered a compromise bill for California's worker's compensation system, the most expensive in the nation.


It is the latest in a string of victories for the Republican governor, and observers say the wins could allow him to dictate terms to the Democrat-controlled Legislature on virtually any issue.


"Everyone is giving a wide berth to this guy. He's now viewed as the man who can make miracles happen," said Larry Gerston, a political science professor at San Jose State University. "He carries tremendous sway with the public, and the Legislature is almost in awe of him."


Schwarzenegger and lawmakers reached the tentative deal on workers compensation reform Wednesday. A legislative committee overcame lingering differences and adopted the bill Thursday morning, setting the stage for a Friday vote in the full Legislature.


"There's no question this is not a perfect bill," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Los Angeles Democrat. "What it is is an attempt to reach a compromise on a workers compensation system that's broken, a system that doesn't serve injured workers very well and a system that is costing a great deal of money with premiums increasingly on the rise."


Officials widely credit the governor with pushing through key elements of the bill, including allowing insurers and employers to select pools of doctors injured workers must use.


As he has on other occasions, Schwarzenegger threatened Democrats into negotiating. Backed by an unprecedented fund-raising machine that has brought in nearly $11 million since the recall election, Schwarzenegger vowed he would take the issue to the ballot if Democrats did not come to terms.


The chairman of the California Democratic Party, Art Torres, questioned the effect of Schwarzenegger's growing influence.


"No governor has had at his command the rapt attention of the business community and the enormous donations to do as he wants," Torres said. "To use the initiative process and the strong-arm tactics that characterize this administration, I don't think it is right."


In the six months since he took office, Schwarzenegger has forced the Legislature to repeal a law giving driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, approve more than $1 billion in midyear spending cuts and place a $15 billion bond measure and a spending cap on the ballot. He then convinced reluctant voters to approve the bonds.


Schwarzenegger still has a number of issues he plans to tackle, including curtailing what he considers abusive lawsuits and a campaign finance initiative. But first he will have to pass a budget, which most observers said will be his greatest challenge.


"The budget is next," said GOP consultant Dan Schnur. "But he's entering the budget fight in precisely the same way he's taken on each of his earlier battles. He's indicated his preferences, drawn a broad perimeter for debate and will end up getting most rather than all he asks for.


"Then he will declare victory and move on that much stronger," Schnur said.


Schwarzenegger will need the momentum, most analysts said, as debate over the budget picks up next month when he releases his revised spending plan.


Although voters approved the $15 billion in borrowing to wipe out the state's existing $9 billion deficit and help with next year's programs, spending remains badly out of balance with tax income. The Legislative Analyst's Office estimates the state faces a $17 billion shortfall in 2004-2005.


Schwarzenegger has proposed a variety of cuts to virtually all state programs as well as borrowing and one-time solutions to cover the gap. He remains opposed to raising taxes as part of the solution.


Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature, say they would like a mix of cuts and tax increases but have yet to challenge the governor's spending plan in any formal way ? a showdown that most expect will eventually happen.


"The budget will be his true test," said Gerston, who expects that Schwarzenegger will eventually soften on the tax issue and force Democrats to accept a number of painful spending cuts.

If so, the governor will have once again achieved a compromise victory and enhanced his political mystique.

"Schwarzenegger understands that the best way to develop clout for his next fight is to win the last one," Schnur said.

 

[nbcrusader]

Finally, the CA Legislature has to pay attention to what the people want, rather than continuing to run the state like their own socio-economic experiment.

 

[nbcrusader]

California workers? comp reform passes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Handing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger one of the biggest victories of his new political career, the state Legislature approved an overhaul of California?s workers? compensation program, the most expensive in the nation.

The bill passed the House 77-3 and the Senate 33-3. Schwarzenegger is expected to sign it quickly.

California?s 91-year-old system has some of the nation?s highest insurance premiums for employers and some of the lowest benefits for injured workers.

Finally, this system of legalized fraud will go away.

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

letting employers choose which doctors their employees can see is just asking for abuse

 

[nbcrusader]

Under the new system, Employers offer a pool of doctors. Under the old system, employees had full choice, giving rise to an industry of "worker's comp doctors" who would milk the system for all its worth.

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

actually I think it was the worker's comp insurance that got to pick the doctor, though I am not sure. When my mom was injured at work she had to go to the doctor that worker's comp set up and couldn't see a specialist until after months of runaround. I'm not saying that the worker's comp system didn't suck before, cause it did, but I think the solution is to put more regulations on the insurance companies, not the employees. But I guess with all the campaign contributions that the insurance companies make to the members of the state govt, that isn't likely to happen.

 

[nbcrusader]

Actually, the medical community and trial lawyers had the biggest influence on the old system. The made significant campaign contributions in the past.

 

[U2 addict]

 

[ThatGuy]

Let's see if "the man that can make miracles happen" can pass a budget.

 

[nbcrusader]

If he can whip those "girlie men" into line, he may have a shot

 

[The Disciple]

Like him or not, you gotta give him credit, he's making a positive difference. I would know, I have several friends, many of the Democrats, that live in CA. I know one in particular that lost her business due to the struggling economy. All of them have told me things are slowly, but surely improving....

 

[ThatGuy]

Hey, I thought he didn't like politicians taking money from special interests.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...p/20040903/ap_on_bi_ge/schwarzenegger_chevron