Mr. Smith Goes to Raleigh
As you know, in the summer of 2005 Senator David Hoyle sponsored the S984 bill for WC reform. The bill is backed by heavyweights such as Duke Energy, Progress Energy and Bank of America. The NCATL (North Carolino Association of Trial Lawyers) and other organizations rallied and continue to rally against it. It is exciting to also find out that within the companies that backed the bill, efforts are being made to keep people informed and proactive. The following article was taken from the Employee Advocate, a newsletter for Duke employees:
It easy to find other things to do with one's time other than lobbying. But every so often a bill come along that is so bad that all the stops must be pulled out. On those occasions, face to face lobbying is in order. S984, introduced in the North Carolina Senate, is such a bill. As originally written, the bill would have nearly destroyed the NC workers compensation laws.S984 is being redrafted, but the bill is so bad that it cannot be salvaged. There are no good parts to save; The bill is rotten to the core. Not only does S984 reek, but so do the legislative games played with it.
When a politician introduces legislation that is good for the people, he is proud of it and wants the public to know about it. He wants the bill to receive publicity. He is delighted to meet with constituents and talk about it. Sometimes he will even talk, talk, talk, talk, talk about it. That's because he knows he has a good bill and wants the world to know about it.
The situation is reversed when a senator introduces a putrid bill. If the bill only serves the interests of corporate lobbyists and his own hidden agenda, publicity is the last thing he will want. He will try to sneak the bill through the process and let the public wonder what hit them. In the absolute worst case, the senator will hide himself and his bill from public view, hoping things will blow over.
Speaking of public-dodging senators, consider N.C. Sen. David Hoyle, who introduced S984. He introduced this workers compensation bill, which is little more that a wish list for corporations that wish to evade paying the just claims of injured employees.S984 is now in the Commerce Committee. S984 stinks so badly, no bloodhound was needed to sniff it out. When workers saw buzzards circling over Raleigh, they knew the bill was bad. Citizens were headed for the S984 hearing on May 3, 2005. Some traveled great distances and were staying in hotels in Raleigh, awaiting the hearing.
Excerpt taken from Employee Advocate at www.dukeemployees.com