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Business Issues Facing
California
Workers' Compensation
With liberals controlling all branches of government,
it is not surprising that calls for increases
to workers' compensation would be growing in volume.
Continued calls for reform from the business community
grow as well. I believe that any final workers'
compensation reform must result in premium reductions
for employers; increased benefit increases for
employees; demonstrable reduction in fraud; cuts
in unnecessary medical payments and legal fees;
and reforms in vocational rehabilitation and stress
claims.
I oppose Senate Bill 1156, because it will result
in a 25% ncrease in workers' compensation costs
to businesses without any necessary cost reduction
reforms. It fails to prevent fraudulent claims,
does not offer anything to control medical costs,
and does not reduce litigation.
Unemployment Insurance
With the terrorist attacks on America and the
affects of the national recession, many of our
state's workers have lost their jobs and are facing
significant hardships. In fact, over 100,000 workers
have been laid off since September 11th. Obviously,
our region's highly trained, educated and diverse
labor force is one our greatest assets. However,
in these difficult financial times, any increased
unemployment insurance benefits ought to be tied
to a comprehensive economic stimulus package that
doesn't result in net increased taxes on employers
which will only hamper our state's recovery and
result in more job losses.
Welfare Reform
California still has one of the highest proportional
caseloads of welfare recipients because of the
generous policies toward those on the welfare
rolls.
Our liberal welfare policies prevent able-bodied
adults from being productive members of society
by fostering dependence on state assistance. We
ought to implement real reform welfare, cutting
excess social welfare spending and instead reprioritizing
these funds for measures to stimulate the economy
like tax incentives for business.
Minimum Wage
Studies have consistently and clearly demonstrated
that every increase in the minimum wage results
in a decrease in available jobs. This puts at
risk particularly jobs for students and part time
jobs for seniors and others not
interested in full time employment. It also has
the potential of encouraging employers to consider
automation, which eliminates additional jobs.
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