Schwarzenegger Vetoes Pro-Family Bills as Corporate Interests Trump Family Values

As with many of the vetoed bills, Schwarzenegger’s veto message cited concerns about the perception that California has a bad business climate.

No solid evidence has ever been produced that pro-family measures of this type drive businesses out of California; yet, this continues to be an “urban legend” cited against such measures.

But there's more:

• AB 435 (Brownley)-this bill would have addressed harsh limitation periods on bringing certain wage discrimination claims. These claims are frequently brought by working women who have been underpaid relative to their male counterparts, and many of these women are struggling to raise kids in single parent situations

• AB 1636 (Mendoza)-this bill would have expedited a job retraining voucher to disabled workers unable to return to their former jobs; workers such as these are struggling to adapt to replace the income needed for the family to survive.

• SB 936 (Perata)-this bill would have increased the benefits paid to permanently disabled workers over a 3 year period. Since 2004 these workers have seen their benefits slashed by 50% or more according to studies by University of California researchers. At the same time, insurer profits have exceeded all benefits paid to or on behalf of disabled workers; it’s a concept that is clearly not family-friendly. The families and kids of disabled workers suffer as they struggle to keep pace with the financial devastation of injuries

These are but a few examples of the bills torpedoed by the Governor on the last few days he had available to act. A clear picture emerges of a Governor unwilling to take on the business interests that have backed his campaigns.

It’s a wake up call for individuals and groups who had hoped that his administration would move beyond family-values rhetoric, blowing up some boxes in the process.

Starting in 1979, Julius Young has represented thousands of individuals who have sustained life-changing injuries or illnesses while on the job. His goal is to secure the medical treatment his clients need and the maximum benefits they are allowed so they and their families can survive potentially devastating injuries. A partner of Boxer & Gerson since 1988, he practices workers’ compensation and disability law in Oakland. For more articles, visit his blog. Workerscompzone.com which focuses on California’s workers’ compensation law, its politics, and culture.