The Importance of Tort Reform
For any state to thrive, it must have a fair judicial system. Courts play a vital role in our politics: they mediate our disputes by holding the powerful accountable and give legal recourse to ordinary citizens. But sometimes the courts go too far. When the judiciary unjustly targets businesses in our state, it’s not only unfair, but it severely harms the state’s economy and thereby all Missourians.
Because of Missouri’s overly stringent legal code, the courts are continually bogged down with frivolous lawsuits. This wastes state employees’ time and taxpayers’ money. Additionally, businesses take notice. When a state is known for having an anti-business climate, potential employers choose to go elsewhere. For businesses already in Missouri, this may dissuade them from expanding. Others might travel to neighboring states more amenable to their concerns.
For too long, the deck has been stacked against the business owner and job creator. However, progress is right around the corner. This summer, the governor signed into law a comprehensive insurance tort reform package, finally enacting ideas that had been circulating in both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly for years. During the upcoming legislative session, we will continue this work to improve the fairness of our civil legal system in other areas, as well. Perhaps we’ll finally take St. Louis off the top of the American Tort Reform Foundation’s list of worst “judicial hellholes.”
I’ve long supported meaningful tort reform legislation. As a coequal branch of government, it’s the duty of the state legislature to provide a check on the power of the judiciary. Only through this healthy tension can a legal system achieve maximum fairness. I look forward to continuing this fight for a reasonable and balanced judicial system of which all Missourians can be proud.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.