Law suit reform


CONTACT:
Damon Gardenhire
Press Secretary
Speaker Todd Hiett
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Capitol: (405) 962.7679
gardenhire@okhouse.gov

Speaker Hiett Urges Senate to Take Action:
As Missouri Enacts Pro-Business Reforms, Senate Democrats Thwart
Progress

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 30, 2005) - Speaker Todd Hiett said today that lack
of action by Democrat leadership in the state Senate is already costing
Oklahomans new job opportunities.

"Right now Missouri - a state that borders Oklahoma - is gaining
competitive advantages over Oklahoma by enacting business-friendly
reforms that will lead to more quality job opportunities for their
state," said Hiett (R-Kellyville). "Unfortunately the Senate's Democrat
leaders appear indifferent to Oklahomans struggling to find higher
paying jobs."

Later today, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt is expected to sign into law major
workers' compensation reform legislation. Yesterday, March 29, Gov.
Blunt signed into law a sweeping lawsuit reform measure, which will lead
to lower medical bills for Missourians and create a more
business-friendly climate in that state.

Meanwhile, Hiett said Oklahoma's Senate Democrat leaders are snubbing
calls to pass two key House measures that would enact true lawsuit
reform and true workers' compensation reform in Oklahoma. House Bills
2046 and 2047 are still awaiting action in the Senate Judiciary
committee.

"Many Oklahoma families are already losing future generations to other
states," said Hiett. "If Democrats continue to drag their feet on these
reforms, our young people who are looking for a better future will
prefer Missouri to Oklahoma. Until our Senate decides to take a step
towards a more prosperous tomorrow, Oklahoma's brain drain will
continue."

The Senate has one week left to pass House proposals out of committees.
Hiett noted disturbing hints from Senate Democrat leaders, indicating
that they may not allow bills to be heard.

"The Senate Democrats have a stark choice over the next several days,"
said Hiett. "Either they can take the path of reform and progress, or
serve as a roadblock to growth and opportunity. The people spoke clearly
in the last election. Oklahomans want to see results - not business as
usual."

Hiett said that by enacting core lawsuit and worker's compensation
reforms, Missouri has officially moved ahead of Oklahoma in the
competition for new jobs and better wages.

Hiett said the Senate should take the next step - and pass HB 2046 and
HB 2047, the Justice and Common Sense Act.

"For years now, Oklahoma's legal system has been well-known around the
country as a safe haven for junk lawsuits," Hiett said. "The system is
preventing justice for honest victims, causing malpractice rates to
skyrocket and providing companies looking to expand or begin operations
one more reason to pass on Oklahoma."

"Workers' compensation costs are the number one problem for Oklahoma
small businesses," Hiett continued. "In order to improve, Oklahoma must
begin to bring about changes that make our state more attractive to
private enterprise, but apparently Senate Democrat leaders do not see it
that way."

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