State Fund Plays “Hide the Contract,” Then Relents
State Compensation Insurance Fund is still looking for a new president, but the terms of the new recruiting effort are a little hazy. Workers’ Comp Executive brings sunshine to the cause and reveals a terms of previous contracts. How much has it paid recruiters in the past? Find out by clicking here.
March 10, 2010
Proposed Legislation Targets State Fund
The bills are piling up and at least one legislator is taking an interest in State Compensation Insurance Fund. What can possibly be in store for State Fund? Click here to find out.
February 19, 2010
Slim Pickins for SCIF Applicants
A certain recruiter is having some trouble filling a particular position at a certain insurance carrier. What gives? Find out by clicking here.
February 17, 2010
SCIF’s Middleton New Fraud Commission Chair
The fight against workers’ compensation fraud has a new champion. Find out who it is by clicking here.
February 10, 2010
Search on for State Fund’s Next President
The state’s workers’ comp carrier tasked a Sacramento area firm with finding its next president. But how much is the carrier on the hook to pay its last president? And what did the board authorize in bonuses for management? Click here to find out.
January 27, 2010
State Fund Looks to Put Soma Use to Bed
One carrier wants to change practice patterns that it says lead to delayed recovery for injured workers. And it;s starting by targeting one of the most popular drugs in use in today's workers' comp system. Who's taking the bold step? What is the step? Premium subscribers can get the full story by clicking here.
January 27, 2010
State Fund Pricing Policies Exacerbated Carrier Insolvencies
A long-awaited study into the root causes of California's wave of carrier insolvencies is out. Did State Compensation Insurance Fund cause the debacle? What might other contributing factors be and does Rand Corporation get it wrong? Click here to find out.
January 7, 2010
Governor Rounds Out SCIF Board With Appointments
Legislation passed in 2008 expanded the State Compensation Insurance Fund's board of directors from five to 11 members, but three of the seats languished awaiting a gubernatorial appointment. Well the wait is over. Click here to see who will be sitting in those seats at the next meeting.
November 20, 2009
State Fund Sale: Government in Disarray
Sometimes we can only roll our eyes and laugh at the government's machinations. The Legislative Analyst’s Office has spoken about the potential for the sale of some of State Funds assets. But then so has the Governor’s office, the Department of Finance, and Commissioner Poizner. Read this and learn about State Government’s dysfunctional relationships.
November 18, 2009
SCIF Board Starts Executive Search, Releases Pay Scale
With the selection of an interim president done, State Compensation Insurance Fund’s board turns its attention to finding a permanent candidate. Salary levels for each of the exempt positions can be found here. Premium subscribers can find out how much execs make and how pay and bonuses work at the carrier.
November 18, 2009
State Compensation Insurance Fund Hangs Up on Cell Phone Appeal
State Fund lawyers have pursued some crazy cases, but sometimes they get slapped. Find out what one State Compensation Insurance Fund lawyer thought was worth fighting for and State Fund’s role.
November 4, 2009
State Fund Chooses New President
State Compensation Insurance Fund's Board has sent up the white smoke. It has picked a new President. Click here to find out who and how…
October 21, 2009
SCIF Interim Pres Struggle in Final Throes
Who will be the next president of State Fund. This article provides the inside scoop about who’s in contention and handicaps the likely picks. That’s it – pure and simple. To read it just …
October 20, 2009
State Fund Employees’ Back Pay on Its Way
Two judges have now ruled that workers at State Compensation Insurance Fund are not subject to furloughs. And while their overdue wages are starting to be paid, not all issues have been resolved. Click here to see what the next fight might be about.
October 7, 2009
FLASH: Jan Frank Resigning As State Fund President
Jan Frank is stepping down at president of the state's largest carrier. Get the when's and why's by clicking here.
September 24, 2009
SCIF Premium Decline Continues
State Fund’s premium is going to the competition. But are lower premiums its only troubles? Find out its financials and other issues if you’re a premium subscriber -- by doing what you know how to do. Just click here.
September 23, 2009
Poizner Takes It to the Governor
Putting his foot down as the regulator of the insurance industry, Commissioner Steve Poizner is taking the governor to court over Schwarzenegger's plans to sell State Compensation Insurance Fund. Will his arguments pass muster? Find out what those arguments are and what the experts think, by clicking here.
September 11, 2009
No Furlough Friday At SCIF
State Compensation Insurance Fund employees will be on the job tomorrow in spite of the governor's furlough order, but find out what might be missing from their paychecks by clicking here.
September 10, 2009
Judge Hands Victory to all SCIF Employees
State Compensation Insurance Fund employees are smiling now. Click here to read more.
September 2, 2009
SCIF Furlough Overturned
State Compensation Insurance Fund employees have fought the good fight and won. Click here to read more.
September 1, 2009
Poizner Files to Halt SCIF Sale
Poizner is suing over governor’s plan to sell State Compensation Insurance Fund assets. To read more click here.
August 27, 2009
SCIF Files Cross-Complaint Over Furloughs
State Fund's board of directors gave president Jan Frank new powers to challenge the governor's furlough order. Click here to find out how she's using them.
August 13, 2009
SCIF’s Jan Frank v. Governor Terminator?
Will SCIF’s president Jan Frank take on Governor Terminator over the now-famous furloughs? Will there be a battle royal, and will it be an epic? Jan Frank has some new powers and it’s up to her to use them wisely. Being informed is being powerful. Being a premium subscriber is being informed. So if you have the power, just …click here
August 12, 2009
Senate Approves Sale of SCIF
A partial sale of State Compensation Insurance Fund takes a step closer to reality. Click here to get the skinny.
July 24, 2009
SCIF Sale -- It’s In There
The Big 5 finally agree and despite all the controversy, the SCIF sale is still afloat. Get the scoop by clicking here.
July 21, 2009
The $1Billion Lie – Sell SCIF Plan In Budget
As part of the ongoing California state budget negotiations the ‘Big 5’ agreed over the weekend that the bill directing the Department of Finance to sell parts of State Compensation Insurance Fund is - repeat – is going into the budget.
July 16, 2009
SCIF Board To Governors Staff: Fugetaboutit !
In a bold move design to both protect its policyholders and put the governor’s chief of staff on notice that it’s no pushover, State Fund’s board today voted to oppose the proposed sale of its assets to balance the budget. Get the whole story just click here
July 10, 2009
Furlough Fight Continues in Courts
It’s still early in the game between the unions and the governor regarding furloughs. You already know which side is doing what, but do you know who’s winning, who else has been sued, which department heads have to go through this, or if the union cares about anyone besides itself? Premium subscribers get to know the juicy details when they click Furlough Batters Battle.
June 23, 2009
SCIF SALE: It Might Happen
The Governor’s office has convinced the democrats to sell parts of State Fund in order to balance the budget. But it is a flawed plan filled with intrigue. Here is the inside story.
June 23, 2009
SCIF Investigation Heats Up
A search warrant is being executed in Northern California as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct by former board members and employees of the State Compensation Insurance Fund. Click here for more details.
June 19, 2009
Flash: Governor Appeals SCIF Furlough Decision
The legal fight to hold all State Compensation Insurance Fund employees to the furlough order took another turn yesterday. Click here to get the rest of the story.
June 11, 2009
Flash: SCIF Furloughs Lifted For Some
One union won a key lawsuit invalidating the Governor's furlough order but not all State Fund workers and now another union wants the same treatment. What's a State Fund president to do? Click here to get the rest of the story.
June 8, 2009
SCIF Earnings Stung by Competition, Bankruptcies, Furloughs
SCIF's premium revenue continued to decline in the first quarter as its insureds showed the strain of the slow economy. Just how low did it go? Click here to get the full story.
May 19, 2009
SCIF Sale Discussions an Evolving Issue
A once unthinkable idea is back on the table as California struggles with another budget crisis. Could some or all of the State Compensation Insurance Fund be sold off to close the gap? Click here to find out who’s behind the idea.
May 19, 2009
XCV SCIF Adrift
Selling part of State Fund was mentioned in the governor’s May budget revision. It was a surprise to SCIF management.
May 19, 2009
Former SCIF General Counsel Calls It Quits
Former SCIF General Counsel Calls It Quits Demoted in the Scandal Days Charles W. Savage, assistant chief counsel for large litigation at State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF), is retiring this month after 31 years at SCIF. Savage was a former vice president and general counsel
May 5, 2009
$14M in Premium Fraud Alleged at Two Companies
Two Southern California employers are facing multiple felony counts for allegedly hiding large chunks of their payroll to avoid workers' comp premiums. Premium subscribers can find out who's being charged and who’s doing the charging, by clicking here.
April 21, 2009
Court Exempts SCIF From Furloughs
SCIF's in-house attorney's were successful in challenging the Governor's "cost-saving" furlough plan. But now the question is will the ruling stand. Find out more by clicking here
April 16, 2009
FLASH: Frank Backs Staff Over Governor
State Compensation Insurance Fund President Janet Frank has filed a brief in court asking the Court to exempt SCIF from the governor’s furloughs.
April 9, 2009
SCIF’s Board Grows but Still Incomplete
SCIF's board is actively pursuing candidates to round out its panel. So far labor is in control. One seat is filled, but three others remain empty. Who's holding up the process? Premium subscribers can get the details inside.
March 24, 2009
Furlough This: SCIF Attorneys Sue the Governor
Contending that the state's mandatory furlough policy affects the quality of their representation for California employers, SCIF in-house attorneys were in court last week to get the policy overturned. Were they, or will they be, successful? Premium subscribers can get the full details by clicking here.
March 24, 2009
Flash Update: Jury Finds SCIF's Actions Okay
After five weeks of testimony and another day of summation, a San Bernardino County jury had heard enough. So is a speedy decision good for the defense or plaintiff? Click here to find out.
March 6, 2009
Verdict Is Imminent In Broker's Termination Dispute With SCIF
Simmering for six years, a lawsuit over SCIF's mass broker termination program in 2003 is nearing a decision. Did either party delivery a knock-out blow in the closing rounds? Click here to find out.
March 6, 2009
SCIF: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
The State Compensation Insurance Fund will be feeling the brunt of the furloughs too. But is operating with a skeleton crew any better than being shut twice a month? Click here to read more.
February 9, 2009
Furloughs on for SCIF
State Compensation Insurance Fund is subject to the governor’s furlough, but it’s made some arrangements to ease the burden. Click here to find out.
February 3, 2009
SCIF Operates at 148% Combined
SCIF's board of directors was briefed on the carrier's year-end financials last week. Among the news: the direct, the written and the combined. Also find out how the investment portfolio is performing. Premium subscribers can read it all right here.
January 20, 2009
More SCIF Board Members Added
The State Compensation Insurance Fund held its first board meeting of the year last week with new, but unannounced, members on its panel. Find out joined the board inside.
January 20, 2009
Furloughs to Impact Workers’ Comp Community & Services
State agencies are furloughing state employees two days a month starting in February. Find out what the potential impact will be on our community. Premium subscribers click here.
January 20, 2009
SCIF Gets a New Board Member
The Senate Rules Committee complies with SB 1145 and appoints a new member to the State Compensation Insurance Fund board of directors. And the lucky winner is…
January 12, 2009
Authorities Say Firm Bilked SCIF out of $20M in Premiums
Officials say this SoCal staffing firm hid the true nature of what its workers did to reduce its premiums. The carriers, the DA and criminal charges are involved. Details on the damages and potential penalties found right here.
December 9, 2008
Off-Budget SCIF Employees Furloughed?
Despite a rebranding campaign to dress up its mission and boost morale, SCIF’s management is not standing up for its employees. SEIU is left to fight alone. Employees may be getting what amounts to lumps of coal in their stockings when the budget is delivered. Premium subscribers can click here to find out about the internal politics.
December 9, 2008
SCIF: First Open Meeting Reveals Disturbing Ratios
State Compensation Insurance Fund is taking the first step toward transparency. Some industry experts are disturbed at what they see. Click here to get the details.
November 24, 2008
SCIF to Attempt Rebranding Its Tarnished Image
Trying to recover from tumultuous times including scandals resignations and investigations, State Compensation Insurance Fund is working on a new look and feel. Trying to convince its employees that change is about, management chooses – well you gotta read this one.
November 20, 2008
SCIF Files Major Rate Increase
State Compensation Insurance Fund is filing a sizable rate increase for January. Find out what it is and what it means.
November 13, 2008
SCIF Goes Green in Vacaville
State Compensation Insurance Fund is doing its part to help the environment. Premium subscribers can click here to see how State Fund is reducing its carbon footprint...
November 3, 2008
SCIF Fills New Executive Positions
Less than a week after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the enacting legislation, State Fund has filled five of the six new exempt executive positions authorized by SB 1145.
October 02, 2008
Palm Medical Case Gets Costlier For SCIF
After State Fund was rebuffed at the appellate and Supreme Court levels, a San Francisco Judge took the rare step of ordering the carrier to pay the other side’s attorneys’ fees.
October 02, 2008
Filing a Public Records Act with SCIF
When the governor signs SB 1145, it will open a new era of transparency and accountability for the State Compensation Insurance Fund. Find out what the bill allows and what you will not be able to get from a public records act request.
September 30, 2008
SCIF Bills Change Things
When the governor signs SB 1145, it will open a new era of transparency and accountability for the State Compensation Insurance Fund. Find out what the bill allows and what you will not be able to get from a public records act request.
September 29, 2008
State Fund Responds
This publication has waged a well-documented campaign to test the State Compensation Insurance Fund's professed commitment to becoming a more transparent organization, a position it has maintained throughout the legislative debate over SB 1145. Are things changing at last at this quasi-public agency?
September 10, 2008
Rate Filing: Data Exclusion Debated, Discussed And Approved
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau's actuarial committee made the tough call to exclude State Fund's medical loss development data from its pure premium rate calculation. The move buffers the proposed increase, but was that the right call?
September 10, 2008
Letters To The Editor
Recent articles on the Division of Workers' Compensation's proposed medical treatment guidelines and the lack of candor by the leadership at the State Fund generated responses from our readership. See what your colleagues are saying inside.
September 10, 2008
Rate Rising -SCIF Data Excluded
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau will likely make an amended filing to suggest an even higher increase in the pure premium rate. Find out how high they say it should go and why excluding SCIF's data keeps it from going even higher ...
September 05, 2008
SB 1145 Heads To The Governor's Desk
Legislation is heading for the governor's desk that will put SCIF on the path to transparency and accountability. Find out the final details of the legislation and what SCIF can still keep secret.
September 02, 2008
Readers Respond And Our Publisher Comments
A recent FLASH Report detailing the current state of transparency at the State Compensation Insurance Fund generated a flurry of responses from readers. See what your colleagues and our publisher has to say on the matter.
August 27, 2008
It's Good When The Truth Gets Out
More details about the terms and conditions of Janet Frank's contract with the State Compensation Insurance Fund are slowly coming out, but as is typical for State Fund the information is being revealed in a circuitous and piecemeal fashion that fails to give the public the whole picture.
August 26, 2008
SCIF Hides President's Hiring Bonus
On the apparent eve of a new, more transparent State Fund, this publication asked a few questions about the terms of employment for its top executive. So just how transparent is the new state fund? Not very. Find out here how much the SCIF Prez is receiving in hiring bonuses and in what state she is a resident. Just click here...
August 19, 2008
No Class
What happened to one class action against State Compensation Insurance Fund for its dealings with its safety groups. Will there be different kinds of filings? There are others. Will they survive? Premium subscribers can find out here.
August 13, 2008
Amended SCIF Bill Still Generates Concerns About Transparency
State Compensation Insurance Fund has proposed language to SB 1145 to address remaining issues of openness. But despite its pronouncements of sunshine, does this bill really make SCIF any more transparent? What does the Legislature think? Should the governor sign this? Find out in the current edition of Workers' Comp Executive.
August 13, 2008
SCIF LAE: In Or Out Of Rates - Let The Commissioner Decide
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner rejected the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau's methodology last year for computing loss adjustment expense projections. What parts of the data did he reject last year and will it play a role in the Bureau's upcoming rate filing? Bet on it. Premium subscribers can find out a lot about the upcoming rate filing right here right now.
August 13, 2008
FLASH: SCIF Hires Contract Executives
SB 1145 – the bill which would, among other things, allow State Compensation Insurance Fund to hire several executives exempt from civil service is about to pass the legislature. But, as if to ignore and circumvent the legislature, State Fund has already hired at least one of those specific positions and is advertising for others. The hires have been done as contracts and the contracts are not public.
Aug 12, 2008
SCIF's Board Chair Jeannie Cain's Amazing Tap Dance
Click here
to read this story about how Board Chair Jeannie Cain representing the remnants of the Tudor regime at State Fund are tap dancing with a State Senator to prevent reasonable transparency. This story is replete with a movie (parody) showing the actual tap dance. This must be seen to be belived and even then belief is questionable.
Jun 12, 2008
Legislators And Transparency Getting The Runaround
One of two vaunted State Compensation Insurance Fund bills had its hearing before the Assembly Insurance Committee. SB 1145, (Senator Michael Machado (D-Linden)). It passed the committee 8-0. It's had a relatively easy ride through the both houses despite serious flaws in the open meeting provisions that will do little to keep the scandal plagued carrier honest. In fact, the bill as drafted by State Fund Chairperson Jeannie Cain and SCIF's highly paid lobbyist will do more to prevent transparency than to encourage it.
Jun 12, 2008
State Fund Appeals Ruling That It Must Treat Other Businesses Fairly
State Compensation Insurance Fund apparently does not agree with the 1st District Court of Appeal, which ruled that State Fund must treat other business fairly. What is the case? And what do lawyers have to say? And what are the chances? Premium subscribers can find out in the current edition of Workers' Comp Executive.
May 21, 2008
SCIF To Halt UR For One Of Its MPNs
State Compensation Insurance Fund is looking to improve its approach to utilization review. What changes is the carrier making? Premium subscribers can find out in the current edition of Workers' Comp Executive.
May 21, 2008
Duncan Held Hostage In Rules Committee
Department of Industrial Relations John Duncan goes through his confirmation hearing in the Senate Rules Committee. Did he get through unscathed?
May 8, 2008
An Interest-ing Question
Should carriers have to pay interest on deposit premiums they hold? Or should policyholders have to pay interest on outstanding premiums? One lawsuit may answer both questions at once.
May 7, 2008
EXCLUSIVE: Sale of State Fund Under Real Consideration
Workers' Comp Executive has confirmed that proposals are circulating to sell the State Compensation Insurance Fund both because of the storm clouds of scandal covering State Fund and because there is a budget crisis of epic proportion. Both sides of the aisle are seeing billions and billions ...
April 23, 2008
Appeals Court Finds State Fund Must Treat Business Fairly
The California Court of Appeal has ruled that State Compensation Insurance Fund has a duty to treat other businesses fairly. Find out how a case like that got to the Appellate Courts. Click here.
Mar 26, 2008
SCIF 2006 Financials Finally Filed
It's nearly a year late, but SCIF finally produced an annual report on its performance in 2006. A year marked by scandal also produced a sharp drop in market share. Get the scoop by
clicking here
.
Mar 26, 2008
Lawyers Renew Charges Against SCIF, But The Parties Are Talking
State Fund's in-house lawyers have a long-standing beef over the insurer's use of outside attorneys for work they believe is rightfully theirs to perform. A court case is pending, but is the new State Fund leadership bringing about a change in labor-management relations? And if so, will it end the dispute?
Mar 5, 2008
State Fund Sued Again
State Compensation Insurance Fund has found itself on the end of another class action lawsuit. What are the allegations in this case? Click here to get the scoop.
Jan 29, 2008
Advisory On SCIF Audit
So many readers have communicated with us asking if or where our coverage of the Commissioner's Audit of SCIF was or what we would be doing that we feel obligated to let our readers know.
Dec 13, 2007
Pure Premium Decision Reveals Doubts About SCIF Expenses
The California Department of Insurance made some unusual moves when rejecting the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau's recommendation that pure premiums be raised 5.2%. It removed SCIF's higher than standard loss adjustment expenses from the formula calculating industry-wide LAE. Find out why, what effect that had and what the Bureau plans to improve, in the current print edition of Workers' Comp Executive.
Dec 13, 2007
Former Director Delre Lures Business From State Fund
There is certainly political intrigue, but is there any dirty dealing as one of SCIF's largest (and discontinued) Group Administrators starts moving its groups out of State Fund to the private market? You decide as you read this whodunit in the latest print edition of Workers' Comp Executive. Who's mad and who's not? Premium subscribers can find out by clicking right here right now. Others will have to forego the experience or get it in the print edition.
Nov 21, 2007
Does State Fund Control Contractor Pure Premium?
Providence Publications has done a study and concluded that State Fund writes 73% of all insured contractors in California. It therefore could be in a position to control the calculations leading to pure premium, X-Mods and might possibly lead to predatory pricing. Find out what the data says, what could be done to create a more transparent state fund and what Debber thinks the Department, Legislature and policyholders should be able to know. This is clear content so all you have to do is click here.....
Nov 21, 2007
Major Associations Leaving State Fund
Can California's State Compensation Insurance Fund maintain its decades-old relationships in the face of scandals, investigations and falling prices? Apparently not. Premium subscribers can read candid comments from former clients by clicking here.
Oct 25, 2007
Did State Fund "Overpay" In Redding Land Deal?
Something smells a little fishy in Redding and it's emanating from State Compensation Insurance Fund's new regional office. Read this Workers' Comp Executive investigative exclusive: how the government-owned insurer paid an inflated price for 11 acres, how one State Fund board member pushed for the office to be built in his hometown, and where the no-bid contract went. You can
read it by clicking here
.
Oct 11, 2007
Department Of Insurance Delays Publication Of Financial Statement
The picture of State Fund's financial status won't be known for some time, because the annual report is being held up. Find out why in Workers' Comp Executive, or if you're a premium subscriber by clicking here.
Oct 11, 2007
Welcome To The Jungle
On the eve of her taking the helm of State Compensation Insurance Fund, our best wishes go to Janet Frank, former CNA executive tapped by the State Fund board earlier this year to be president....
Sep 26, 2007
State Fund Drops Its Largest Safety Group
State Fund has brought the axe down on its largest safety group as the scandal at the insurer depens. Read all about it by clicking here.
Sep 21, 2007
Status Report Released By State Fund
State Compensation Insurance Fund has "achieved significant progress in getting the organization back on track," or so says board President Jeanne Cain in a letter. It was sent today to Senator Mike Machado and accompanies a status report on the Fund's internal operations.
Aug 28, 2007
State Fund In For Three-Pronged Probe
...of the insurer. The task force includes investigators from the California Department of Insurance, the California Highway Patrol and the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. The task force ...which raised concerns of potential improprieties of former employees." The Highway Patrol, which has been involved in the investigation notes that State ...
Jul 26, 2007
Where Is The State Fund Report?
State Compensation Insurance Fund's internal review report was expected to drop in June -- why has since been delayed?
Jul 6, 2007
SCIF's Charles Savage Canned
In what can be called not a hugely unexpected turn of events for those watching the situation at scandal plagued State Compensation Insurance Fund, Charles Savage has been terminated as Vice President for Legal. He is the most recent to go. He has accepted a lesser job at the carrier.
May 23, 2007
SCIF Governance Proposal
Last week the Workers' Comp Executive in its print edition published a commentary by our publisher Dale Debber along with a draft proposal – with the legal language as a starting place for the discussion.
Apr 2, 2007
State Fund Group Administrators Paid $500 Million
State Compensation Insurance Fund has paid out more than $500 milllion in fees to its administrators, payments the company wont' disclose. That is the tip of the iceberg in this saga of the vast amounts of money involved in these programs that led to the firing of State Fund's president, Jim Tudor.
March 28, 2007
Senate To Hold Investigative Hearing Into Continuing State Compensation Insurance Fund Scandal
Senate To Hold Investigative Hearing Into Continuing State Compensation Insurance Fund Scandal Senate To Hold Investigative Hearing Into Continuing State Compensation Insurance Fund Scandal Against a backdrop ...possible criminal investigation into State Compensation Insurance Fund, the State Senate is about to hold hearings to look into the continuing scandal. An investigative hearing has been called for Wednesday by Sen. Michael Machado (D-Linden) at the request of Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland). In addition, Perata replaced his appointee to State Fund's Board. The hearing may be abridged somewhat because if, in fact, there is ...
March 23, 2007
Tudor Shown the Door After Internal Investigation
State Compensation Insurance Fund's board of directors, at the onset of what promises to become a bigger scandal, has fired the insurer's president, Jim C. Tudor, and his long-time ally Renee Koren. She was vice president of group insurance programs. The firings come on the heels of an internal investigation ordered by the governor's office. An interim president has been appointed from the outside.
March 21, 2007
State Fund Tea Party Boils Over
The resignations of two members of State Compensation Insurance Fund's board of directors last month, presumably at the behest of the governor's office over concerns of possible conflict of interest, were an initial peek into the Wonderland of State Compensation Insurance Fund safety groups. The resignations from the state's largest writer of workers' comp are just the tip of the iceberg. Big dollars and small services, political influence and incestuous insiders, are what this story is about. But it's turning into a lot more nightmare than fairy tale.
Dec 6, 2006
Forward-Looking Statement
...involving the governor and the Insurance Commissioner in the event SCIF became financially impaired. The legislation successfully resolved ongoing litigation between the commissioner and SCIF over the scope of the commissioner's oversight of the fund. In addition, despite strenuous lobbying against it by SCIF management and its paid lobbyists, Senate Bill 1452 (Speier) clarified ...the ability of the state auditor to conduct reviews of SCIF and determine whether it is meeting its statutory mandate. Imagine ...
Dec 6, 2006
Potential Conflict: Two SCIF Directors Out
Two of five State Compensation Insurance Fund Directors have resigned because of potential conflicts of interest first exposed by Workers' Comp Executive. Read the inside story here.
Nov 16, 2006
SCIF Transparency Bill Signed
The bill bringing more transparency to State Compensation Insurance Fund, SB 1452, authored by Sen. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo), has been signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, the Workers' Compensation Executive has learned. State Fund tried hard to kill the bill.
Sep 25, 2006
Workers' Comp Law Nails Small Roofers
Who has California small-business owners' interests at heart? Not politicians, certainly not State Compensation Insurance Fund. And not even Governor Schwarzenegger, apparently, who signed a bill that threatens to put one-man roofing companies out of business. And it could set a precedent affecting all other small business. Is it good intentions gone awry, or simply larger special interests disposing of competition?
Sep 21, 2006
Tudor Appointed SCIF President
After a really long search, State Compensation Insurance Fund gets the same old president. But is he the best man for the job? Read all about the continuing controversy.
Sep 21, 2006
SCIF Plans 20% Commission Hike For Group Business
State Compensation Insurance Fund management is asking its board to increase commissions on its workers' comp group business, but in so doing has it created conflicts of interest on its board? Is the timing a Machiavellian scheme to increase support for the candidacy of its interim president to help him win the permanent position? Is State Fund failing to release statements of economic interest? Find out in the current print edition of Workers' Comp Executive.
Sep 7, 2006
Political Deal Confirms SCIF's Litigation Loss To Insurance Department
Proposed legislative language might finally end the acrimonious legal battle between State Compensation Insurance Fund and the California Department of Insurance. But it's not final yet. Is this the best SCIF could hope for? What legislative glitches still need to be worked out and what provisions are causing concern for the industry? Find out in the current print edition of Workers' Comp Executive.
Aug 24, 2006
Committee Emasculates SCIF
The Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee today passed an Assembly bill with amendments that strip State Compensation Insurance Fund of its enhanced investment authority and give the governor greater leeway to remove the State Fund president. Jim Tudor, acting president of the quasi-governmental insurer, told the committee today that SCIF would respond to the amendments by dropping its lawsuit against the California Department of Insurance, a case State Fund has spent $1.8 million litigating.
Aug 23, 2006
SCIF To Get Favorable Legislation
Legislation is being amended to allow the California Commissioner certain regulatory authority over State Fund but disallows conservation. Still, controversial issues have arisen.
Aug 16, 2006
SCIF Management "Arrogant" Says Speier
"Either they have too much money to spend, or they have something to hide," says Jackie Speier about the management of the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF). Speier lambasted management for hiring a contract lobbyist to kill her good government bill. SB 1452 will, if passed, subject SCIF to the same standards as other state and publicly created entities. She went on to say hiring a lobbyist is deceitful and in violation of the public trust.
Aug 9, 2006
SCIF Tries To Avoid Transparency Again
State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) is trying to kill a good-government bill that affirmatively permits the State Auditor to audit State Fund! State Fund has been so recalcitrant over the past several years that the Auditor's office has had to go to the legislature and ask for an affirmative bill to permit its audits. And SCIF is fighting it all the way home.
Aug 7, 2006
SCIF EMPLOYEE CONDITIONS INTOLERABLE
State Fund employees demonstrate in front of its home office protesting lack of vacations, low pay and other working conditions.
Mar 15, 2006