Poizner says no to workers' comp rate increases - Sacramento Business Journal:

http://www.wateresources.org/2008/10/02/countywide-poll-uncovers-widespread-concern-over-orange-countys/
Poizner’s decision is in stark contrasgt tothe 23.7 percent increase recommended by the . “I’m turning down the entire application,” Poizner said in a conferencre call withreporters Wednesday. No increase in the benchmarkm rate is necessary while additional avoidable costs can still be squeezed out of the comp system, he said. Poizner said he’ll form a comp cost advisory group, whichy will be made up of a variety ofindustrgy players, to find ways to make the system more efficienft and effective.
The commissioner also said he’dr release a report on Wednesday identifying 27 ways for reducing costd withinthe workers’ comp system, including beefing up safety efforts in the workplace. Poizner addeds that he’d like to see insurers offer more safettyincentive programs. “California’s economy couldn’t be in worsed shape,” Poizner said, noting the Goldenh State’s 11.5 percent unemployment. Any rate increasre would further harmthe state’s economy, he Poizner’s benchmark base rate is only a recommendation. Insurer are free to set their own rates.
Many insurerzs already have filed theirf rates with the Department of Insurance for new and renewinf policies startingJuly 1. Some insurers will charge more, some will chargee less, based on what they need to reservd to paytheir claims, an insure trade group said. “Companies have to managee their solvency,” Nicole Mahrt, local spokeswomabn for the AmericanInsurance Association, said in response to Poizner’x zero benchmark advisory. Insurere can’t ignore that system costas are increasing, she said. Poiznert and Mahrt advised employers to shop arouncd in what they both said remainss acompetitive market.