Full story in the Los Angeles Times  By Rebecca Ellis It felt like the kind of thing that must happen in Hollywood all the time: a hundred bucks to be a movie extra. Austin Beagle, 31, and Nevada Barker, 30, said they were trying to sign up for food stamps this spring when someone offered…

Full story in The Spokesman-Review By State Rep. Mary Dye It is my honor to represent the people of Washington’s 9th Legislative District, where agriculture is not just an industry but the foundation of our communities. Agriculture is in my blood. My husband and I operate our own farm, and like so many of my…

By Aerys Pozo Full story in RenoNR.com As a car salesman and proud member of the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people find reliable vehicles they can afford. But in today’s market, the biggest obstacle isn’t inventory or financing—it’s Nevada’s broken legal system that drives up costs for…

Full story in DC Journal By Gerald Scimeca Costs related to tort litigation in the U.S. continue to rise, with little being done to bring them in line. Practical, pro-growth reforms will cut costs and restore fairness to our broken system. Tort litigation imposes a significant financial burden on the economy and consumers. Major corporations…

Full story in the Los Angeles Business Journal By Nancy Hoffman Vanyek Eighty-three percent of Californians say the legislature should act to stop lawsuit abuse and eliminate what they call the “hidden tax” on families. In a nation where consensus on almost anything is rare, that number should stop lawmakers in their tracks. Rarely do…

Full story in the Sebastian Daily By Andy Hodges TALLAHASSEE — The proportion of lawsuits filed against Florida’s state-backed property insurer from South Florida has plummeted in recent years a shift attributed to sweeping legislative reforms aimed at curbing what industry officials call frivolous claims. Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which serves as the insurer of…

Full story in the Tallahassee Democrat By Allyson Watts When Florida families open their auto insurance bills this month, many will see something they haven’t experienced in years: lower rates. According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the state’s major insurers have reduced rates by an average of 6.5% this year. State Farm has…

Full story in Reuters By Jenna Greene Lawyers for Civil Justice, which represents corporations and defense counsel and pushes for more disclosure of litigation funding, last week submitted nine contracts as part of lengthy comments, opens new tab to a judicial panel considering a national rule that would require litigation funding disclosure. The agreements came to light…

Full story in The Journal Record By Sen. Casey Murdock Oklahoma prides itself on a spirit of entrepreneurship, resilience, and common sense. Yet, lurking beneath our vibrant economy is a drain on every consumer: the pervasive issue of lawsuit abuse, fueled by the aggressive advertising of so-called “billboard attorneys.” While these firms promise justice, their high-volume, often speculative litigation tactics…

Full story in Charlotte Business Journal. By Cheryl Richards Imagine running a small business — a family-owned HVAC company in Concord, a child-care center in Raleigh, or a manufacturing shop in Wilson. Your focus is on growing your business, paying your employees and keeping your customers happy. One day, you get hit with a lawsuit.…