I had the pleasure of sitting down with Assemblyman Simon
Salinas this last week to get an update on what’s going on in
Sacramento.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Assemblyman Simon Salinas this last week to get an update on what’s going on in Sacramento.
Hot topics that we discussed include Worker’s Comp Reform, the state budget, and the Assemblyman’s 2004 Legislative Package.
Among the proposed legislation on Salinas’ agenda this year is Jenna’s Law, which would add penalties to any unreinforced-masonry buildings that do not post warning placards.
The bill honors the memory of Jennifer Lynn Myrick, who was killed when an unreinforced-masonry building collapsed on her during the 2003 San Simeon earthquake.
While a law already exists that states such buildings must post warnings, this bill would impose penalties and thus give it more teeth, as Salinas says.
He also discusses two bills that deal with the placement of sexually violent predators and the conditions of their release.
Recently, an SVP was released from Atascadero State Hospital. His county of origin found a way to keep him out, and therefore he was placed in a neighboring county with little notice.
Salinas’ bills propose that SVPs be examined by two independent psychiatrists, and be returned to their county of origin.
In April, the governor signed into effect the long overdue Worker’s Comp Reform package.
The two burning questions I asked Assemblyman Salinas were, what will change for business owners and workers, and how quickly?
From what the Assemblyman said, changes will happen relatively quickly.
Companies will see a decrease in premiums when rates are reassessed, usually midyear. What that decrease will be is yet to be determined.
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California has said there is justification for insurers to cut premiums 13 percent to 15 percent.
The Reform Package also gives injured workers the choice of seeing specialists for their particular injuries.
In addition, payouts for workers will better reflect their actual expenses, versus companies having to pay over 100 percent for injuries, or reduced amounts for those severely injured.
While this is not the “end all, be all” of Worker’s Comp reform, it’s certainly a step in the right direction, and an encouraging sign that those in Sacramento can get results when working together.
Salinas also discussed the proposed ’04-’05 state budget.
Since it’s original draft in early ’04, the governor has made some changes.
While community colleges won’t be feeling the heat nearly as much as last year, fee hikes are being put in place at University of California and California State University campuses.
Local governments will be feeling the hit for the next year or two, but to make up for this, a constitutional amendment is being placed on the November ballot guaranteeing the protection of local government property tax, sales, and VLF revenues.
Assemblyman Salinas covers a lot of ground in 30 minutes, so I encourage you to watch the program on two of our community channels.
Updates from the Capitol airs on Cityview 17 in Hollister/San Juan Bautista daily at 10:30 a.m. On Channel 20 in Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista, catch Updates on Monday, May 31 at 7 p.m., Tuesday June 1 at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 5 at 2 p.m.
Suzanne St. John-Crane is the director of CMAP. She writes a regular column for publication in The Dispatch highlighting the news from our local television station. She can be reached at 846-4983. CMAP is on the Web at www.mycmap.org
