James Madison Institute Director Of Public Policy Robert Sanchez: “What Worries Business Leaders Is That Despite The Efforts” Of Jeb Bush, “Action Has Stalled On Key Issues Related To Tort Reform.” According to an opinion by Directory of Public Policy Robert Sanchez for the James Madison Institute, “In contrast, all four of Florida’s announced gubernatorial candidates have spent much of their adult lives in government service. Business leaders say the problem isn’t that any of them would be expected to be hostile to business; it’s just that they might lack [Jeb] Bush’s degree of understanding and empathy. […] What worries business leaders is that despite the efforts of a business-friendly governor, action has stalled on key issues related to tort reform.” [Robert Sanchez – James Madison Institute, 2006]

Sanchez: “South Florida Has Edged Higher On The List Of The Nation’s ‘Judicial Hellholes’ Where A Costly Combination Of Predatory Trial Lawyers, Runaway Juries, And Obliging Judges Often Results In Huge Verdicts Against Businesses.” According to an opinion by Directory of Public Policy Robert Sanchez for the James Madison Institute, “What worries business leaders is that despite the efforts of a business-friendly governor, action has stalled on key issues related to tort reform. Meanwhile, South Florida has edged higher on the list of the nation’s ‘judicial hellholes,’ where a costly combination of predatory trial lawyers, runaway juries, and obliging judges often results in huge verdicts against businesses and professional practitioners.” [Robert Sanchez – James Madison Institute, 2006]

Sanchez: “With 2006 Being The Final Year In Office For A Governor Who… Understands These Issues, The Business Community” Approached The Legislative Session “With A New Sense Of Urgency As It Should.” According to an opinion by Directory of Public Policy Robert Sanchez for the James Madison Institute, “There’s no way to know whether it’s really ‘now or never’ for the Legislature to address these concerns. However, with 2006 being the final year in office for a Governor who obviously understands these issues, the business community is approaching the coming legislative session with a new sense of urgency– as it should.” [Robert Sanchez – James Madison Institute, 2006]

JMI Adjunct Fellow Jake Bebber Opinion Headline: “Doctors Fleeing Florida’s Sue-Happy Lawyers.” [Jake Bebber – James Madison Institute, 2006]

Bebber: Florida’s Civil Justice System Caused “Doctors To Leave The State,” Damaged “The Business Climate” And Imposed “A Steep ‘Tort Tax’ On Every Floridian.” According to an opinion by Adjunct Fellow Jake Bebber for the James Madison Institute, “The 2006 legislative session gives Florida lawmakers yet another chance to restore some sanity to a civil justice system that’s causing doctors to leave the state, damaging the business climate, and imposing a steep ‘tort tax’ on every Floridian.” [Jake Bebber – James Madison Institute, 2006]

Bebber: “Our Current Civil Litigation System Is Broken. Along With Being Patently Unfair, As The Practice Of ‘Joint And Several Liability’ Shows, It Is Also Too Costly.” According to an opinion by Adjunct Fellow Jake Bebber for the James Madison Institute, “Our current civil litigation system is broken. Along with being patently unfair, as the practice of ‘joint and several liability’ shows, it is also too costly.” [Jake Bebber – James Madison Institute, 2006]

Bebber Cited The Florida Justice Reform Institute And The American Tort Reform Association. According to an opinion by Adjunct Fellow Jake Bebber for the James Madison Institute, “According to the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Tort Reform Association, our legal system cost $246 billion in 2003 alone, equaling $845 for every man, woman and child. Small businesses pay $88 billion each year to cover liability expenses. That is money that cannot be used to invest in better jobs and better wages or to pay for health care for their employees.” [Jake Bebber – James Madison Institute, 2006]

Bebber: “It Is Time For The Florida Legislature To Stand Up Against The Powerful Trial Lawyer Lobby…And Do What’s Right.” According to an opinion by Adjunct Fellow Jake Bebber for the James Madison Institute, “The compelling evidence continues to mount that we face a litigation crisis in Florida. It is time for the Florida Legislature to stand up against the powerful Trial Lawyer lobby and their surrogate ‘consumer’ groups and do what’s right. It is time to restore fairness to our civil court system.” [Jake Bebber – James Madison Institute, 2006]

2006 Madison Policy Digest: “Victories For Proponents Of Limited Government And Personal Freedom” In This Legislative Session Included “Several Tort Reform Measures.” According to the James Madison Institute’s Madison Policy Digest, “This legislative session featured several victories for proponents of limited government and personal freedom. […] Meanwhile, other successes this session have included passage of Governor Bush’s ‘Aplus-plus Plan’ for education, repeal of the intangibles tax, and several tort reform measures – including repeal of the unfair doctrine of joint and several liability.” [Madison Policy Digest, 5/10/06]

JMI 2007 Winter Newsletter: “The Contributions Of JMI Members In 2006 Supported… Substantive Policy Victories In Education, Tort Reform, Taxes, And Property Rights.” According to JMI’s Winter 2007 Newsletter, “Resolve to continue providing for a freer and more prosperous Florida and nation. The contributions of JMI members in 2006 supported: […] substantive policy victories in education, tort reform, taxes and property rights.” [JMI Newsletter, Winter 2007]