Citizens For A Sound Economy-Florida Earmarked $460,000 For Tort Reform In 1998, The Year That Jeb Bush Ran for Governor
Washington Post: “Jon L. Shebel, President And Chief Executive Of Associated Industries Of Florida…Credits CSE With Helping Enact The Broad Tort Reform Last Year That Was Business’s Top Priority In The State.” According to the Washington Post, “The Everglades has been just one of CSE’s Florida projects. Jon L. Shebel, president and chief executive of Associated Industries of Florida, representing 10,000 businesses, credits CSE with helping enact the broad tort reform last year that was business’s top priority in the state.” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]
Shebel: CSE “Made A Difference In Florida” Against “The Trial Lawyers, At Times CSE “Would Take TV, And We Would Take The Radio. They Have Access To Big Dollars That We Don’t Have Access To.” According to the Washington Post, “‘They’ve made a difference in Florida,’ said [Jon] Shebel. ‘We had a major war going on with the trial lawyers. At times [CSE] would take the TV, and we would take the radio. They have access to big dollars that we don’t have access to. . . . It’s added a new dimension.’” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]
CSE Documents Revealed $460,000 “Mainly In Corporate Donations” Dedicated To The Florida Tort Reform Project. According to the Washington Post, “According to CSE documents, at least $ 460,000, mainly in corporate donations, was earmarked for the [tort reform] project in 1998. The funds included the Huizenga contributions, $ 25,000 each from Hertz Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG, and $ 10,000 from Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]
Shebel: Associated Industries Of Florida’s “Political Department Orchestrated The Whole Thing… We Called CSE And Said Here’s The Plan, Can You Do Something? They Did TV.” According to the Washington Post, “‘Our political department orchestrated the whole thing,’ said Associated Industries’ [Jon] Shebel. ‘We called CSE and said here’s the plan, can you do something? They did TV. We did radio, direct mail and all the analytical work.’” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]
CSE’s Long Support for Tort Reform In Florida
1998
CSE Organized A Call-In Campaign In Favor Of Tort Reform Legislation. According to the Sun-Sentinel, “Legislation that would make it harder to file and win lawsuits and a ”Choose Life” license tag backed by abortion opponents are generating thousands of phone calls, faxes, letters and e-mail messages to Gov. Lawton Chiles […] The legal changes, which limit product liability, negligence and personal injury lawsuits, were the most heavily lobbied issue of the session […] Many of the calls and letters against the bill are coming from lawyers, their families and clients. An ally of the business community, Citizens for a Sound Economy, has organized a call-in network in support of the legislation.” [Sun-Sentinel, 5/11/98]
Florida Citizens Overwhelmingly Urged The Governor To Veto Tort Reform Legislation. According to the Sun-Sentinel, “Legislation that would make it harder to file and win lawsuits and a ‘Choose Life’ license tag backed by abortion opponents are generating thousands of phone calls, faxes, letters and e-mail messages to Gov. Lawton Chiles […] By the end of last week, some 11,534 people had urged Chiles to veto the civil-justice rewrite, while 3,251 supported it.” [Sun-Sentinel, 5/11/98]
St. Petersburg Times: Citizens For A Sound Economy Bought Ads “Supporting A Republican-Backed Plan To Limit Consumer Lawsuits – A Plan Vetoed By Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles.” According to the St. Petersburg Times, “Citizens for a Sound Economy, a Washington-based group that fights for lower taxes and less government interference in business, recently purchased advertisements in Florida supporting a Republican-backed plan to limit consumer lawsuits – a plan vetoed by Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles.” [St. Petersburg Times, 6/1/98]
Florida CSE Director Slade O’Brien Demanded An Apology From The Academy Of Trial Lawyers For “A Shamefully Dishonest Campaign Of Deception.” According to a press release from CSE-Florida, “Apology Demanded from Academy of Trial Lawyers: Statement by Slade O’Brien, Director Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy ‘The Academy of Trial Lawyers, led by Executive Director Scott Carruthers, has embarked on a shamefully dishonest campaign of deception (see script which follows). The Trial Lawyers are faxing their membership, encouraging them to call the pro-civil justice reform 1-800-number of the Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy. They then tell their membership to lie to the operator about your position on the reform bill so that you can be patched through to the governors office and steal $5 per call from CSE in the process. Hundreds of these dishonest calls have already been placed.’” [Press Release – CSE-FL via archive.org, 5/1/98]
O’Brien: “This Whole Tort Reform Bill Could Have Been Avoided If The Academy Of Trial Lawyers Just Had The Courage To Regulate Their Own Profession.” According to a press release from CSE-Florida, “You know the sad truth is this whole tort reform bill could have been avoided if the Academy of Trial Lawyers just had the courage to regulate their own profession. This action goes to prove how truly untrustworthy they really are. It is truly a shame that Floridians have to live with Trial Lawyers who claim they are there to protect them only to find out they will lie, cheat and steal to continue making money off of other peoples misery.” [Press Release – CSE-FL via archive.org, 5/1/98]
O’Brien: “It Is Truly A Shame That Floridians Have To Live With Trial Lawyers Who Claim They Are There To Protect Them Only To Find Out They Will Lie, Cheat And Steal To Continue Making Money Off Of Other Peoples Misery.” According to a press release from CSE-Florida, “You know the sad truth is this whole tort reform bill could have been avoided if the Academy of Trial Lawyers just had the courage to regulate their own profession. This action goes to prove how truly untrustworthy they really are. It is truly a shame that Floridians have to live with Trial Lawyers who claim they are there to protect them only to find out they will lie, cheat and steal to continue making money off of other peoples misery.” [Press Release – CSE-FL via archive.org, 5/1/98]
CSE Press Release Headline Following 1998 Election: “Lawsuit Abuse Was Issue on Minds of Florida Voters.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 11/4/98]
1999
CSE-Florida Press Release Headline: “Florida CSE Activists Say ‘No’ To Out-Of-Control Lawsuits: March 24-Florida CSE Asks Legislators For Civil Justice Reform.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/30/99]
CSE-Florida Press Release Headline: “Grassroots Hand Trial Lawyers Major Defeat: Florida CSE Champions Passage Of Lawsuit Reform.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 3/23/99]
2000
CSE Published “When Trial Lawyers Attack: Episode 1: The Voicemail Menace.” According to a post on the CSE website, “When Trial Lawyers Attack by James T. Riley, Esq. Episode I: The Voicemail Menace” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/13/00]
CSE Claimed A Lobbyist Informed A Senator That “He Would Run Devastating Television Commercials Against The Senator Unless He Removed Himself As A Co-Sponsor Of Trial-Lawyer Opposed Legislation.” According to a post on the CSE website, “They just keep getting bolder and bolder and now they may have finally crossed that line. A lobbyist for the trial lawyers in Washington, DC, apparently threatened U.S. Senator Rod Grams that he would run devastating television commercials against the Senator unless he removed himself as a co-sponsor of trial-lawyer opposed legislation. But this time, the trial lawyers got caught red-handed. Not only did they provide tangible evidence in the form of a voice mail recording, they went on to send a fax detailing their proposed attack. The U.S. Justice Department is now investigating these allegations of trial-lawyer attempted blackmail against a sitting United States Senator.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/13/00]
- CSE Described The Lobbyist’s Threat To Run Ads Against The Senator As “Trial-Lawyer Attempted Blackmail” And Said The Lawyers “Crossed That Line.” According to a post on the CSE website, “They just keep getting bolder and bolder and now they may have finally crossed that line. A lobbyist for the trial lawyers in Washington, DC, apparently threatened U.S. Senator Rod Grams that he would run devastating television commercials against the Senator unless he removed himself as a co-sponsor of trial-lawyer opposed legislation. But this time, the trial lawyers got caught red-handed. Not only did they provide tangible evidence in the form of a voice mail recording, they went on to send a fax detailing their proposed attack. The U.S. Justice Department is now investigating these allegations of trial-lawyer attempted blackmail against a sitting United States Senator.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/13/00]
Florida CSE Released The “2000 Florida CSE Civil Justice Reform Pledge” Which “155 Florida House And Senate Candidates” Signed. According to a press release from CSE-Florida, “Armed with a new study showing remarkable savings to consumers as a result of tort reforms passed under Gov. George W. Bush in Texas, Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy will hold a press conference on Tuesday to release the names of Florida House and Senate candidates in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties who have signed the 2000 Florida CSE Civil Justice Reform Pledge. To date, 155 Florida House and Senate candidates have signed CSE’s pledge and are committed to returning fairness and responsibility to Florida’s civil justice system.” [CSE-Florida Press Release via archive.org, 8/25/00]
2001
CSE Called 2001 “The Year Of The Shark” In Reference To John Edwards And Trial Lawyers. According to a post on the CSE website, “2001 may long be remembered as the year of the shark. No, I’m not talking about the carnivorous sort that has been terrifying swimmers along the Eastern shores of the United States. The shark I’m thinking of is trial lawyer-turned-Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 9/5/01]
CSE: “What’s Good For Trial Lawyers, However, Is Rarely Good For Consumers.” According to a post on the CSE website, “What’s good for trial lawyers, however, is rarely good for consumers because they are the ones forced to pay for lawsuits through higher prices for everything from electronics, to insurance premiums, to doctors’ bills. The total cost of the Tort system in 2000 was estimated to be as high as $200 billion, and worse, this lawsuit abuse harms regular citizens with real grievances by clogging the courts with these frivolous suits.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 9/5/01]
2002
CSE Post Headline: “There’s Nothing Classy About Lawsuit Abuse.” According to a post on the CSE Website, “There’s Nothing Classy About Lawsuit Abuse.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/23/02]
CSE: “The Abuses Of The Legal System Impose Costs On All Consumers While Crowding Out Cases With Legitimate Legal Grievances.” According to a post on the CSE Website, “While lawsuits may hold the allure of a million-dollar judgment, it is important to realize that the abuses of the legal system impose costs on all consumers while crowding out cases with legitimate legal grievances. A well functioning legal system is an important component of a free society. It offers an opportunity to resolve disputes, enforce contracts, and compensate victims for legitimate losses. Unfortunately, special interests have found ways to subvert our legal institutions for selfish gains. Without reforms that restore the legal system to it original purpose, the legal system will become a liability rather than strength of our free society.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/23/02]
CSE Called For “Abolishing Joint And Several Liability In Most Cases,” “Reforming Class-Action Rules,” And “A Higher Burden Of Proof For Punitive Damages.” According to a post on the CSE website, “The following list includes a series of reforms aimed at improving out [sic] nation’s legal system Abolishing Joint and Several Liability In Most Cases. The current rules of law on joint and several liability are grossly unfair and inefficient. Requiring a person 1 percent at fault to pay an entire judgment creates higher insurance and product costs, and is destructive of property rights. […] Reforming Class-Action Rules. The current use of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure has created a treasure-trove for plaintiffs’ class-action lawyers. The lawyers sometimes do not even need a client to collect millions from productive sectors of the economy. […] Mandating a Higher Burden of Proof for Punitive Damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish defendants for engaging in harmful behavior. Just as in criminal cases, before a court can punish someone, it must satisfy a higher burden of proof. Creating a Presumptive Cap for Non-Economic/Pain-and-Suffering Damages. Pain-and-suffering damages are highly speculative and vary greatly from person to person. For these reasons, it is difficult, if not impossible for defendants to predict these costs and change their behavior accordingly.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 4/23/02]
CSE Offered Invitations To “The Third Annual Legal Reform Summit,” Which Was Held September 18-19, 2002. According to a post on the CSE website, “Citizens for a Sound Economy invites you to attend the third annual Legal Reform Summit which be held this year in Washington, D.C., September 18-19, 2002. The Legal Reform Summit will mark the importance of tort reform efforts in the making and will highlight the economic impact that America’s flawed legal system has imposed on businesses, health-care professionals, company shareholders, and consumers.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 8/21/02]
2003
South Florida CSE Director John Hallman Participated In A Debate On Tort Reform Against The Former President Of The Florida Association Of Trial Lawyers Lance Block. According to a press release from Citizens for a Sound Economy, “John Hallman, representing CSE, participated in a debate called Point/ Counterpoint at the Palm Beach Community College on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd. The issue was Tort Reform and the opposing side was represented by Lance Block of Searcy, Denney, et al. in West Palm Beach, a well-known firm of trial lawyers. Lance Block is also the past president of the Florida Association of Trial Lawyers.” [Press Release – Citizens for a Sound Economy via archive.org, 12/11/03]
CSE: Hallman “Cited Statistics And Examples Of The Reasons Tort Reform Encourage Free Markets And Results In A Less Costly Healthcare System.” According to a press release from Citizens for a Sound Economy, “John’s preparation carried the day, as he cited statistics and examples of the reasons tort reform encourage free markets and results in a less costly healthcare system. John’s examples of the court system, overburdened with frivolous lawsuits, were well taken by the audience. They frustrated Mr. Block and forced him to result to emotional and one-sided arguments to defend the existing system. When Mr. Block began to attack CSE on an emotional level, John remained calm and defended the organization with facts and figures, not with emotional rationale. Many of the audience members agreed with John and challenged Mr. Block to defend the current system.” [Press Release – Citizens for a Sound Economy via archive.org, 12/11/03]
CSE: “Once Again, John Hallman And CSE Illustrate That Tort Reform Is A Winning Issue.” According to a press release from Citizens for a Sound Economy, “Once again, John Hallman and CSE illustrate that Tort Reform is a winning issue!” [Press Release – Citizens for a Sound Economy via archive.org, 12/11/03]
CSE Listed “Lawsuit Abuse” As A Key Issue. According to the Citizens for a Sound Economy Website, Lawsuit Abuse was a “Key Issue.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 2/23/03]
CSE: Our Grassroots Army Has Fought And Won Legal Reforms At The Federal Level And The State Level In Florida, Alabama, Texas, And Illinois.” According to the Citizens for a Sound Economy Website, “We want to give back our legal system to honest, decent Americans. Our grassroots army has fought and won legal reforms at the federal level and the state level in Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Illinois. We educate citizens on how frivolous lawsuits affect them personally – impacting their pocketbooks, businesses, values and way of life. CSE activists are spearheading efforts to enact real tort reform across the country. What you can do: Attend our town meetings on lawsuit abuse. And tell your elected officials that you want our legal system returned to decent, honest Americans with real grievances.” [CSE.org via archive.org, 2/23/03]