Governor Unilaterally Reduces Commissioner's Salary
In an action that has been roundly criticized by workers and workers' compensation practitioners, Governor Branstad on July 11 reduced the salary of Chris Godfrey, the workers' compensation commissioner, by over $30,000. This action followed the governor's request that Commissioner Godfrey resign from his office, a request that the commissioner refused.
Unlike department heads in state government, the workers' compensation commissioner does not serve at the pleasure of the governor. In fact, the workers' compensation commissioner was specifically protected from partisan pressure by being provided a six year term of office, independent of that of the governor. The governor's attempt to attempt to force the commissioner to resign by drastically reducing his salary violates both the letter and spirit of the law, and represents a blatant abuse of power.
In the wake of the salary reduction, the governor attempted to argue that Commissioner Godfrey had performance issues on the job, despite the fact that the commissioner's performance reviews had been exemplary. When this argument proved to be unsupported by the evidence, the governor's office sought to tie increased costs in the workers' compensation system (moving from 45th to 36th in terms of costs) to the commissioner's work performance. Of course, this ignored the fact that the largest driver of costs in all workers' compensation systems is medical costs, and the further fact that in Iowa employers control the medical care received by claimants.
Further compounding the politics that was a part of this decision was Governor Branstad's admission during a radio interview that he was asked by the Iowa Association of Business & Industry (ABI) to fire the commissioner. Such an action is particularly inappropriate in light of the fact that the act is to be interpreted liberally in favor of injured workers. No such liberality is to be shown to employers. Although one could assume that the governor, in light of his record, is more likely to favor business interests of the interests of workers, the blatant admission that he was acting at the behest of ABI reflects a lack of balance in overseeing the workers' compensation program.
Commissioner Godfrey has acted courageously in refusing to voluntarily leave his office. Time will tell whether the governor's actions will be reversed.
Unlike department heads in state government, the workers' compensation commissioner does not serve at the pleasure of the governor. In fact, the workers' compensation commissioner was specifically protected from partisan pressure by being provided a six year term of office, independent of that of the governor. The governor's attempt to attempt to force the commissioner to resign by drastically reducing his salary violates both the letter and spirit of the law, and represents a blatant abuse of power.
In the wake of the salary reduction, the governor attempted to argue that Commissioner Godfrey had performance issues on the job, despite the fact that the commissioner's performance reviews had been exemplary. When this argument proved to be unsupported by the evidence, the governor's office sought to tie increased costs in the workers' compensation system (moving from 45th to 36th in terms of costs) to the commissioner's work performance. Of course, this ignored the fact that the largest driver of costs in all workers' compensation systems is medical costs, and the further fact that in Iowa employers control the medical care received by claimants.
Further compounding the politics that was a part of this decision was Governor Branstad's admission during a radio interview that he was asked by the Iowa Association of Business & Industry (ABI) to fire the commissioner. Such an action is particularly inappropriate in light of the fact that the act is to be interpreted liberally in favor of injured workers. No such liberality is to be shown to employers. Although one could assume that the governor, in light of his record, is more likely to favor business interests of the interests of workers, the blatant admission that he was acting at the behest of ABI reflects a lack of balance in overseeing the workers' compensation program.
Commissioner Godfrey has acted courageously in refusing to voluntarily leave his office. Time will tell whether the governor's actions will be reversed.
Comments
Post a Comment