David Houston, Chair of California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse had an opinion piece published in the Santa Monica Daily Press. Here is what David had to say:
"No one denies that California has a daunting road ahead as the state works toward economic recovery. As a business owner, I certainly don't have all the answers, but I do know that legal reform would be a step in the right direction. California's legal climate consistently ranks among the worst in the country. At a time when many businesses are closing or relocating out of state, legal reform could go a long way to eliminate unnecessary costs, save and create jobs and keep businesses open.
"As a businessman in this community, I have personally experienced harassing shakedown lawsuits — and I know the consequences are serious. "Abusive" lawsuits, those legal filings based on petty technical or interpretative violations, powerfully and negatively impact both the private and public sectors — and benefit no one but the plaintiffs' lawyers who seek out the cases."
Assemblyman Curt Hagman's commentary titled "Legal Reform Would Save Jobs" was published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Here is what Assemblyman Hagman had to say:
"Assemblyman Jose Solorio recently responded to Nevada's highly publicized ad campaign to lure California businesses to the Silver State and for that he should be commended. However, now is the time for Democrats in the California Legislature to focus efforts on improving California's business climate and reforming our legal system to save jobs. Many Californians have lost their jobs in the past year and many voters are making the connection that unwarranted lawsuits are costing jobs.
"A recent poll by California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse shows that 81 percent of people believe the number of lawsuits filed against businesses in California hurts California's economy and 63 percent believe lawsuit reform will make it easier for California to keep businesses in the state."
CALA Chair David Houston's letter-to-the-editor "Legal Reforms would Spur California Businesses" was published in the Los Angeles Times. Here is what David had to say:
"If Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana) really wants to keep businesses in California, he and his fellow legislators need to put their efforts into improving California's business climate, not into producing an ad campaign. Thousands of Californians have lost their jobs in the last year and a recent poll by California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse shows voters are now making the connection that unwarranted lawsuits are costing jobs. Pass legal reforms.
"Pass legal reforms. This will do more to keep California businesses in our state than any glitzy ad campaign."
Senator Tom Harman is working to put an end to the recent wave of unwarranted lawsuits targeting small business retailers and restaurant owners who give discourts to furloughed state workers. His commentary on the issue appeared in the Newport Beach Daily Pilot. Here is what Senator Harman had to say:
"Dozens of lawsuits have been filed in our state alleging that any special recognition of mothers violates the rights of men. The latest twist to these types of frivolous lawsuits involves employees that have been forced to take time off from their job without pay because of the economic downturn. It seems that some sympathetic restaurants and retailers have offered these employees discounts on meals or services. These businesses are now being threatened with lawsuits claiming that they are discriminating against other customers.
"These latest shakedown lawsuits not only trivialize our state’s landmark civil rights protections for private gain, but such abuse of our laws also illustrates a serious flaw in the legal system. Harassing lawsuits have become more and more common in recent years as greedy individuals have twisted the intent of civil statutes to benefit themselves. These actions are symptomatic of our practice of enforcing state statute through private legal action and far too often end up punishing honest businesses and slowing our economy."
Northern California Regional Director Marko Mlikotin's Guest Column appeared in the Folsom Telegraph today. Mlikotin addressed the need to rebuild our economy, create jobs and bring financial stability to public services by reforming lawsuit abuse. Mlikotin wrote:
"While our state's political leaders have spent the past year promoting ballot measures, tax increases and budget cuts as a way to tame the ever-growing $24-billion budget deficit, little attention has been given to increasing state revenues by making it easier for California employers to be more profitable and create jobs."
Recently, Marko Mlikotin, CALA's Northern California Regional Director, and the owner of the Squeeze Inn burger joint appeared on the Armstrong & Getty Show to discuss why an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit is forcing the legendary Sacramento burger joint to close its doors and move to a new location. To hear about the costs associated with abusive lawsuits and why ADA law needs to be reformed to increase access without putting small business owners out of business, listen to the interview.
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
"The real challenge for today's elected leaders and the candidates seeking constitutional offices such as governor and attorney general, in particular, lies the need to rebuild our economy, create jobs and bring financial stability to public services by reforming lawsuit abuse."
