The Californian from Salinas, California • 3

NCI Friday, May 13. 2011 NEWS MsssBinibly barns soumie wDrCieirsy cdDomp caofis susceptible to hypertension. Alejo noted that protections against discrimination are common in state law. He said the bill would make it clear that any cut to disability awards would have to be justified by a pre Race, sex would be factored in; GOP claims bill could lead to higher costs The Associated Press SACRAMENTO The Assembly approved changes Thursday to California's safety net for injured workers that would prevent cuts to disability benefits based on race, sex or age. The 44-22 party-line vote on AB1155 came over the objections of Republican lawmakers.

said it could lead to higher workers' compensation costs that would hurt businesses still recovering from the recession. Current law allows doctors to assess how much of an injury is the result of work and how much is from other causes, such as a previous injury. Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo of Watson-ville cited a case in which a disability award for a San Diego worker was cut in half because he was black, and those who reviewed his case said blacks were more the fact that women tend to be more susceptible to osteoporosis than men. Assemblyman Chris Norby, R-Fullerton, warned that age is a legitimate concern when it comes to assessing what contributed to a disabling on-the-job injury. Including it in the bill could put California back on a path to high workers' compensation costs that would hurt businesses.

Alejo countered that in at least one case in San Francisco, a female worker who suffered a neck injury and carpal tunnel had her disabil an overhaul of the workers' compensation system one of his signature issues during his first term, winning approval of sweeping changes to control costs in the system in 2004. The changes led to an almost immediate reduction of more than IS percent in workers' comp rates paid by employers, but attorneys and unions argued that they weakened protections for injured workers and have been pushing to weaken or revise some of them ever since. The bill was sent to the Senate. ity award reduced on the basis of her age. Opponents argued in committee that there are safeguards already built into the system to prevent abuses and to flag discriminatory decisions, including at least one case cited by the authors.

They warned the bill would make lawsuits more likely. The Legislature approved similar bills in 2008 and 2010, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed them as unnecessary and a potential source of litigation. Schwarzenegger made Luis Alejo existing medical condition, not just "risk factors" or the likelihood of a condition, such as a greater genetic predisposition to certain diseases based on race or 4 '7 1 k'-T. 4 the resident was unconscious, police said, the three men burglarized the home.

They said the battered man called 911 after he regained consciousness. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and released, police said. They said the owners of the residence, who were not home at the time, were contacted and officers determined that among items stolen included jewelry, electronic equipment, a safe and a firearm. Anyone with information to the incident is encouraged to contact the Marina Police Department investigation bureau at 831-884-1227. 'Play Learn' days at Salinas libraries "One, Two, Red Circle, A special "Play and Learn" day for the very young are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Children will concepts like "a-b-c, 1-2-3, red-blue-green, and triangle-circle-square," while enjoying games, puzzles and toys. See COUNTY, 4A A AROUND THE COUNTY Staff reports Storms expected this weekend Wet weather will hit the Salinas-Monterey area beginning Saturday as a cold front moves on shore, dropping temperatures and promising the chance of thunderstorms, the National Weather Service reported. Showers are likely beginning Saturday night with the possibility of a thunderstorm that could produce hail. The chance of rain is 70 percent, according to the NWS. The rain will be mixed withperiodsof sunshinethat will quickly turn to heavier downpours, prompting the NWS to warn motorists traveling Saturday night and Sunday.

Winds will be out of the west at 7 to 9 mph becoming south-southeast on Sunday. High temperatures Saturday and Sunday will range from the low to mid-608, with lows ranging in the high 40s. Unsettled weather with chances of showers will continue through Wednesday, with the first sunny day coming Thursday, the NWS reported. 3 sought in Marina home burglary, assault Three men are being sought for burglarizing a home Wednesday in Marina, police said. At 5:23 p.m., police said, officers responded to a report of a person assaulted in the 3100 block of Tallmon Street.

In the initial investigation, they said, officers determined that three unknown men battered a resident of a home where a party had occurred. As Actors 'reach out' in play ESTABLISHED IN 1871 0 The WW0 Salintu Cumommn SERVING THE SALINAS VALLEY AND MOMTRFV COUNTY Pn '11. 'AA TTT7T' h.Y ifjgg 2 ABOVE: Actors Ozioma Akagha and Brendan Cataldo portray the life of Francisco Jimenez during Leo Cortez's play "Reaching Out" on Thursday at the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts in Salinas. Cortez adapted the play from Jimenez's which recounts the challenges Francisco faced in his efforts to continue his education at Santa Clara University. Magnificent.

Majestic. And All Mahler. The Salinas Californian (USPS478-120) is published Monday-Saturday morning by Salinas Newspapers, 123 W. Alisal Salinas, CA 93901 Phone (831) 424-2221 or (831) 649-6626 TTY: (831) 754-4296 A Gannett Newspaper Periodicals postage paid at Salinas, CA postmaster. Send address changes to The Salinas Californian, 123 W.

Alisal St. Salinas, CA 93901. Local news 8 a.m. to 1 a.m 754-4260 FAX machine 754-4293 Sports 754-4265 Feature 754-4270 E-mail iwwnxmiOUwcalrfofnlan.cotn Circulation Customer service Toll Free 1-877-424-4917 Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Missed deliveries Toll Free 1-877-424-4917 Brendan Cataldo portrays Francisco Jimenez during the play. T7-y- PHOTOS BY CONNER JAY mm 14 Kv- mr 0BITUARIES4A Theroux, Frances Sue Wise McGrath, Patricia Irene Crouse Xancd Real Estate Max Bragado-Darman conducts Custav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 Steinbeck Institute of Art and Culture, Salinas (formerly Sherwood Hall) May 21, and Sunset Center, Carmel May May 23, Tour Dituicr for two is 9 i Tivofor OVERALL TOP PRODUCER VANC0 Real Estate Executives, Inc would like to congratulate Regina Shaw, Realtor, GRI for Month of March 2011 517 Main Street 201 Salinas, CA 93901 831-772-0300 Office 831-772-0110 Fax VS M0O133408 FREE BREAKEAST Bacon Si Egg BUT 1 GET 1 FREE One coupon per table. Not to be used with other offere or discounts, drinks not included. Monday-Saturday only, I $20 menu fy- El Pnce does not delude beverage, J.

lax wgraiuny. Dffliy intuupyit. jgg DRE 01428652 Cell 831-206-3369 reglnasalinas7aol.com fcVtnT UAT SVMHS Seeking nominees for Electoral Advisory Committee Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System is accepting nominations for an electoral advisory committee. This group will explore the concept of zoned elections evaluating whether that would benefit the District residents, and if so, how the zone boundaries should be drawn. The committee will also explore the issue of whether the Board should be comprised of 7 director positions, or stay with the current 5 positions.

Nominees should be residents of the Healthcare District, which includes Moss Landing, Marina, Prunedale, Salinas, Chualar and Gonzales, as well as much of the Highway 68corridor. Interested parties can download a nomination form at www.svmh.comelection or call 755-0741. Completed forms must be submitted by Monday, May 16th at 5pm. Salinas Valley SI Memorial Healthcare System www.svmh.com.