Chamber Calls Election Results Legal Reform Victory

Pro-reform Candidates Elected to State Offices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed election results in Mississippi and Kentucky and said the states' two new governors and Mississippi's Lt. Governor are critical allies in the effort to clean up state legal systems.

"We are marching closer to the day when abusive lawsuits and tort-friendly state courts are finished," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "The voters in Mississippi have shown repeatedly that they want significant and real improvement in their court system."

Mississippi ranked last among all 50 states, in an annual poll of 900 corporate counselors and senior litigators on the fairness of state liability systems, conducted for the Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform by Harris Interactive. An overwhelming majority of those polled (82 percent) said a state's litigation environment affects important decisions, such as where to locate or do business.

"Voters have told their lawmakers in Mississippi and Kentucky that they want a fair and balanced legal system," said Donohue. "Improving the state courts will bring great benefits – more jobs, more investment and more revenues to pay for schools, roads and health care."

In Mississippi, Haley Barbour (R) defeated incumbent Governor Ronnie Musgrove (D) and Lt. Governor Amy Tuck (R), a legal reform leader in the state, was easily re-elected over her Democratic challenger. In Kentucky, Congressman Ernie Fletcher (R) was elected Governor over Democrat Ben Chandler.

"Yesterday, voters gave us some key victories, but the results also showed us we have more work to do," said Donohue. "We will push on until all Americans recognize – and choose – a legal system that is fair for everyone."

Since 1997, the Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform has been working vigorously to urge state and federal action to end lawsuit abuse. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

03-162