Mar 20, 2008 - 04:05:42 CDT
Could those three letters spell victory for political candidates who choose to employ them in this fall's election? Or is the turmoil at the state's Workforce Safety and Insurance agency nothing more than the obsession of a small group of activists and the media?Truth is, nobody around the Capitol really knows for certain.
After a year when the agency has seen employee complaints of shadowy practices, criminal charges against a former executive director, and numerous changes in top management, it remains to be seen how big a political issue the agency's turmoil will be this fall.
Judging from the unscientific barometer of campaign press releases, many candidates certainly think it's something they need to pay attention to.
For the last three months, the letters WSI have shown up in dozens of press releases from potential legislative candidates. A majority of Democrats and some Republicans have listed cleaning up the agency as a priority they'd pursue if elected.
In the race for insurance commissioner-an office that doesn't have any official authority over WSI-it has been a big issue. From his initial candidacy announcement last fall, State Rep. Jasper Schneider, D-Fargo, made greater supervision of WSI a key issue. Republican Adam Hamm, who was appointed insurance commissioner last year by Gov. John Hoeven, also did a state tour to pitch a similar idea.
One state Senate candidate, Democrat Jim Long in a rural district east of Bismarck, is a direct result of WSI. A dismissed WSI whistleblower, Long said his biggest motivation for entering the race was to help change WSI.
So candidates are obviously paying attention. But opinions differ on whether everybody else is paying attention.
Ed Christensen, a Bismarck resident who's involved with an initiated measure to put control of WSI back under the governor's office, said lots of people have been very eager to sign a petition for the measure.
"There are so many people who have signed the petition who have no direct connection to WSI," he said. "But a lot of people have family members touched by the agency or have heard about what's going on there."
Christensen predicted that it would only be a major issue in races involving legislators who've shown strong support for the status quo at WSI.
State Sen. Tim Mathern, a Democratic candidate for governor, said it would be a major issue for a small set of voters, but that most others care more about areas like education, health care and energy development.
Others are of the opinion that it's much ado about nothing.
Rep. Frank Wald, R-Dickinson, said
"The truth is the Democrats don't really have any issues because the economy is booming," he said. "So they want to make an issue out of WSI. But I think the public is beginning to see through it."
(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli)@bismarcktribune.com
leo wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:38 AM:
WSI employees issued pleas to the politicians trying to alert them of just how insane the agency's direction was headed, but to no avail. The board of directors followed Republican wishes from its onset. They also ignored the warning signals from the employees.
Everyone knows the WSI mess will be at the forefront of the political debates this fall. What is so disappointing is why the Republicans tried to hide the issue and the Democrats chose to ignore it until the election. When their own behinds are on the chopping block, then it becomes an issue. One has to wonder what would have happened if this wasn't an election year.
The politicians needn't worry whether WSI will be a political issue this fall. People from all walks of life are aware that WSI is the center of attention in the news. Workers compensation matters affect almost everyone in the state. Almost all workers are covered by the insurance, the businesses have to buy that coverage, the medical profession has to treat the injured workers, etc., etc., etc. Those involved represent almost everyone in the state.
It's a damned shame WSI has to be in the political dog fight this fall. If our politicians would have done their jobs in the first place, this situation would have never gotten out of hand as it did. Not only does WSI still need a management cleansing, I think a number of our Apoliticians need to be shown the door. "
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