GOP senators demand changes in business, environmental policies

Senate Republicans stood with business representatives Tuesday in demanding a series of business and environmental regulation changes as part of state budget talks.

The measures included delaying implementation of a landmark greenhouse gas reduction law and suspension of mandatory overtime for working more than eight hours a day.

Senate Republican leader Dave Cogdill said he wanted to make GOP requests public after criticism last summer that Republicans did not fully reveal their budget demands.

Legislative Democrats had different reactions to the package.

"It's unfortunate Senate Republicans are once again trying to use their budget leverage to push unrelated proposals that would dirty our air and hurt working families," Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement. "They tried unsuccessfully to do that last year, and their efforts will fail again this year."

But Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said he welcomed Republican suggestions.

"We are in such dire trouble fiscally, I am glad for anybody who wants to get into the game," Perata said. "We have not yet come to grips with how difficult this year will be. Everything must be on the table."

The Republican proposals would:

• Allow employers to offer flexible work schedules by removing a requirement that they pay workers overtime after an eight-hour day.

• Allow businesses to come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act before regulators levy fines.

• Delay the implementation of greenhouse gas regulations by one year.

• Extend deadlines for diesel engine retrofits. At present, heavy-duty equipment has to be turned over twice within eight years.

• Allow individuals and employers to purchase health insurance through any licensed provider.

• Require state agencies to assess the economic impact of regulations on small businesses.

Dorothy Rothrock of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association said the governor has the ability to delay by one year the adoption of greenhouse gas limits, currently scheduled for January 2011. The move, she said, would allow the state to reduce carbon emissions in a "cost-effective and technologically feasible" manner.

Environmental regulation was a sticking point in last year's budget negotiations. During a 52-day standoff, Republicans won amendments protecting infrastructure bonds from being entangled in greenhouse gas emissions lawsuits.

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