Jones: Henry Failed Lawsuit Reform Test

Republican State Chairman Gary Jones (pictured) today issued this statement: On the final week of the legislative session, Gov. Brad Henry rejected the legislature’s second lawsuit reform proposal of the year. And with the legislative session now wrapped up, it will be yet another year without lawsuit reform in Oklahoma.

“Governor Henry has effectively told the business community that Oklahoma is closed for business. Henry promised Oklahoma citizens Texas Plus tort reform, and now he won’t even sign Texas Lite reform, which is essentially what this compromise was. I would ask Gov. Henry how he expects us to compete with Texas and other surrounding states without reform?”

The compromise proposal was developed by physicians and business groups, and addresses the governor’s concerns about Senate Bill 507 (which Henry vetoed) as outlined in a recent memo from State Treasurer Scott Meacham.

“If we want to stop being at the bottom of every list, we need tort reform. Unfortunately, we have a Governor who takes his marching orders from the trial bar, and who has once again ignored the calls from Oklahoma taxpayers of the need for tort reform.”

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