Bismarck, North Dakota News

" Vote (YES) on measure 4-it's a step in the right direction as for the board,some of them have been there for more than 12 years,thats 12 years to long,at the conolly report-someone asked him just how long a board members term should be an he said a minimum of 4 to 6 years so that board members can build a relationship with one another-thats whats wrong-their not supposed to build a relationship their supposed to give their opinion and their own vote-which as seen with the whistleblowers that isn't happening-also if we ever get to see the safety-grant money lets see just how many board members get them........ "

" I used to run a business and thought paying into Workers Comp was ineffective or at least less than what I could do for my employees. I did some research and found that I could get disability insurance, which covers a person 24/7 for less cost than the premiums I was paying to cover them only at work. I would have felt better doing that for my employees than what I was forced to do by law. "

" Who cares what happens to the board, they stood by and let the "Mad Dogs" run wild in WSI. When you read the whole Measure 4 instead of taking your buddies word for it, then talk about the whole thing to me.

The public is tired of hearing about WSI doing as it pleases, and this is just the start of change. "

" Get Real

Get real. There is a reason why WSI is the most watched and audited state agency or haven't you been reading the headlines for the last few years? Management has been described as a "mess", employee morale fell through the basement, claims acceptance rates plummeted to new lows without law changes, services to accounts dropped to almost non-existant, etc. etc. etc. This definitely is not the system that anyone wants. By the way, the measure was written fairly well -- it'll pass with flying colors. "

" I say vote 'yes' to Measure #4. Bring WSI back under state control. and the citizens of this state will not have to put up with the excess compensation paid to the former director and outrageous amounts spent on employees. Accountability is the key and we will once again have it when WSI is back under state control. "

" Accountability Measure 4 will not bring: You may want to read the law a little closer. The board has responsiblity for the direction of the agency's operation. Measure 4 does not remove the board and there is no way of knowing what the voters want as the measure is so poorly written. "

" I've said it before and I'll say it again. The best cure for what ails WSI is to allow private carriers to come in and compete with WSI - they would essentially become moot. "

" People keep saying Measure 4 will bring accountability. But what happens to the Board of Directors? The Board no longer appoints the CEO, so the Board is no longer really needed anymore because it serves no function. It cannot direct the agency, so let us assume that the Legislature, rationally, decides to get rid of the Board at the next session, because that is what the voters wanted. So now, no public meetings, only the Governor deciding, behind closed doors, behind agency doors, during meetings which are, by law, not open to the public, what must be done. Explain how this is more accountable than what we have now? "

" Measure 4 just provides Hoeven with another high paying state job as a reward for party lotalists. Given the fact that Hoeven loves to offer these rewards to his campaign managers, I am wondering if this his support for this measure is so Dan Larson has a cushy reward for his services should Hoeven win a third term as he expects. The only real cure for WSI is privatization. "

" Just have to say: Measure 4 does not bring accountability back to WSI. WSI is the most watch and audited agency in state government. The only thing Measure 4 does is bring back the ability to pressure a political figure to put inappropriate influence on claims decisions. This is not the type of system that we want and anyone who supports that is a crooked as they come. "

" Mr. Miller

Obviously, your main concern with WSI is the premium you pay. The only people responsible for the ups and downs of premiums is our legislature. They are the ones that erroneously reduced premiums in the early 80's, they were the ones that caused the premiums to skyrocket in the 90's, they were the ones that passed the bills to reduce the premiums in the last few years. They also passed a bill overriding the Governor's veto creating the board of directors. This erased accountability of the agency and the result was the chaos we have witnessed over the last few years. There is no excuse for the headlines that have plagued us - just poor management and a legislature failing their duties to the people of ND. The CEO of WSI needs to be under the supervision of the Governor's office to eliminate what has happened. The board of directors has proven that they are not the answer to running a workers compensation insurance company effectively. A no vote on Measure 4 only serves to continue the chaos. "

" Therefore, what you are telling us is lazy people get hurt, and those are the claims you argue. I would hate to inform you that if an injury happens at work that only shows the person is willing to work, not one on welfare that has never worked. Your argument is fruitless, as you are probably an employer that fights all claims, and destroys workers lives, along with destroying their familys lives. Your business is afraid that Measure 4 will give you less ability to fight the claims from what I see in your wording.

Measure 4 brings back accountability to someone in this state, and helps to enforce issues that arise from complaints. I would also hope that it would stop the illegal meetings that have been going on there up until the last few months. The injured workers do not need your assistance in arguing their case, as I am sure you are against any claim filed. "

" The biggest failure in the workers compensation system is our legislators.
They have not provided or protected the workers of North Dakota. "