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8.A,17. CAMPAIGNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE WORKERS' COMP from page 1 ........ EFFECTIVELY AND ETHICAllY The League/CSAC press briefing reported on On April 17, candidates for local office can get the results of a survey of workers' compensation costs experienced over the past four years by 81 practical, nuts-al d-bolts information on how to cities and 39 counties. The data documents alarm- successfully run fvr local office from seasoned ing growth in local governments' workers' compen- campaign veterans. Co-sponsored by the Los sation costs - even though the number of claims Angeles County Division and the Institute for Local filed is declining, and local governments are able to Self Government, this seminar will share cutting- hold down insurance rates by self-insuring. edge political research that shows candidates can campaign effectively and ethically for public office. "Cities' and counties' average costs went up 66 percent over the past four years," said League Seminar sessions include: Legislative Representative Amy Brown, "and we project a further increase of 33% this year. Medical . Developing Your Campaign Message costs went up 73 percent over the same period, . Building Your Campaign Organization even though our claims are down 1 percent. . Fundraising "The fact that we are self insured, and don't . Voter Contact Strategies face soaring insurance rates, shows clearly that the . Complying with the Elections Laws problem of soaring workers' comp costs is not Speakers include a former Govemor's spokes- solely a problem of insurance rates." person as well as the former chair of the Fair Of even greater concern, the cities and coun- Political Practices Commission. The written ties reported that they anticipate a 33 percent materials will be topnotch as well. increase in medical costs over the current fiscal year. Additional information about the program and a registration form are available at www.ilso.orQ/ "City and county taxpayers just can't afford trust. The program is one of the recommenda- these cost increases." said League Executive tions of the League's Ethics Education Task Director Chris McKenzie. "Local government Force. services are already being slashed as the state continues to take local funds to patch up its own The registration deadline is April 9 on a first- deficit. These additional workers' compensation come, first-served basis. The fee is $100 for the costs create added pressure to cut local services." daylong seminar (which, as a campaign related "We strongly support the Governor's current activity, must be paid for from non-city funds). push for workers' comp reform in the legislature this This is definitely the most affordable campaign year," said McKenzie. "If the legislature can't pass advice local candidates can get-let everyone you reform, we'll support the Governor's initiative." know who's interested in running for local office "The important thing is to not let this problem (city, county or special district) know about this linger," added Brown. We support the Governor's. terrific opportunity to get their campaigns off to a and the legislature's efforts to reform this badly strong start. broken system, and want them to do it now." A similar seminar is planned for June 12 in Information on survey is available on the northern California (more information to follow). League's Website at www.cacities.oro/ emoloveerelations. PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org