Progress achieved by Texans for Lawsuit Reform since the group’s 1994 inception has made Texas courts more fair and improved the state’s business environment, said Arlene Wohlgemuth, former Texas state representative, on Tuesday. But more work toward legal reform remains to be done, Wohlgemuth said.
Wohlgemuth discussed TLR, a group she supports and volunteers for, during a meeting of the Johnson County Republican Woman’s Club held at Johnson County Republican headquarters in Cleburne.
“Texas civil courts were unfair to litigants and those excessive costs of litigation kept businesses from moving here,” Wohlgemuth said.
TLR volunteers are part of “an army to try to bring a level playing field to the Texas judicial system and make sure it stays that way,” she said.
Reforms that TLR members fought for and gained include an end to forum shopping by attorneys, capping noneconomic damages in tort cases, curbing class-action suits and ending proportionate responsibility — in which someone who is found to be only 15 percent responsible for an accident can be held 100 percent liable, Wohlgemuth said.
Such changes have led to doctors relocating to Texas as well as business moving to the state, Wohlgemuth said.
“In 2003, we had four insurance companies writing medical malpractice policies in Texas,” Wohlgemuth said. “Now we have 30. Texas now has more Fortune 500 companies than any state in the nation.”
All this has resulted in a huge positive economic impact and low unemployment, she said.
“Texas now has a business-friendly tort system where, when people go to court, they think they can get a fair deal,” Wohlgemuth said.
More needs to be done, Wohlgemuth said, to hold ground on the gains made and work toward jury reform and streamlining the court system. To that end, Wohlgemuth encouraged Texans to become involved with TLR.
On the Web:
www.tortreform.com
Local News
Wohlgemuth discusses lawsuit reform
- Local News
-
-
May/June 2012 Community Life magazine
The May/June 2012 edition of Community Life magazine is available for online viewing. Click here to view.
-
Primary election today
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator. Primary election day hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must vote at their precinct location. For information visit the Johnson County Election Office’s website at www.JohnsonCountyElections.com or call 817-556-6197.
-
Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
-
A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
-
Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
-
Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
-
Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
-
Early voting numbers well short of ’08
Early voting turnout in Johnson County’s Democratic and Republican primaries totaled 3,914 as of Friday morning. That total includes 309 votes in the Democratic Primary and 3,605 in the Republican Primary.
-
Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
-
Changes at Splash Station
Splash Station officially opens for the summer season this weekend, and those who frequented the park in years past may notice some modifications.
- More Local News Headlines
-
