Nuñez, Gov. gamble on healthcare overhaul
Jordan Rau
Los Angeles Times
With time running out to overhaul California's healthcare system this year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez are fashioning a high-stakes strategy to raise business and hospital taxes through a ballot measure that would circumvent defiant Republican lawmakers.
"I think we're on the verge of doing something huge," Nuñez told The Times' editorial board Friday.
The unusual partnership between the Republican governor and the Los Angeles Democrat echoes their collaboration last year, which resulted in landmark global warming legislation and a minimum-wage increase.
But a closed-door deal could incur political wrath for both men. The governor is backing tax increases despite last year's campaign pledge against them, and Nuñez could alienate labor and consumer advocates for supporting mandatory health insurance.
Coming with just two weeks left in the legislative session, the negotiations are focused on expanding medical coverage to nearly all of the 4.9 million Californians without it.
September 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Blog Reactions
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