Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas

Jennifer Harris | CALA
April 15, 2011

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Harris
Friday, April 15, 2011
(512) 773-7168

CALA LEADER EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF LAWSUIT REFORMS IN BOLSTERING STATE’S ECONOMY, SPURRING JOB CREATION

AUSTIN – Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) of Central Texas Board Member Bobby Jenkins provided testimony before a group of California lawmakers today at the State Capitol in Austin. The California delegation, including lawmakers and business executives, are in Texas as part of a fact-finding mission focused on why Texas’ economy has grown while other states, like California, have suffered job losses and a bad economy.

The following are excerpts from Jenkins’ testimony. A full copy of his remarks can be found at www.calactx.com.

“I’m here because I am a businessman who is focused not just on building and growing my own company but on the best ways we can continue to create jobs and new business opportunities in Austin. But I’m also here because I am a proud American who wants other states, like California, to thrive.

“As I know you’ve heard yesterday and today, here in Texas we view the regulatory and tax structure in California as heavy-handed and not conducive to creating jobs or building business.

“I want to speak today about a very specific aspect of our system that is widely credited with the vibrant growth we’ve experience in the past several years: smart legal reforms. In my role with my company and the Chamber, I can tell you that the common sense legal climate in Texas is a big contributor to our state’s economic success.

“Let me say right up-front that CALA, other legal reform groups, and our state citizens are not opposed to lawsuits. We are opposed to lawsuit ABUSE. My company, other businesses…we do get sued. But the reforms we’ve passed have restored common sense and fairness to this process. And that is something that business entrepreneurs consider when they think about starting and growing a company – and where to locate.

“Because of these smart, common sense reforms, Texas has become a place where businesses want to be. We are home to 64 Fortune 500 companies, more than any other state, and last summer we were named by CNBC as America’s top state for business…for the second time in two years.

“And, thanks to the reforms passed since 1995, we’ve added almost a half a million permanent jobs, according to an economic study by The Perryman Group. That same study credited our reformed legal climate with a more than $100 billion increase in annual spending and a $2.6 billion increase in state tax revenue.

“Smart legal reforms are about protecting jobs and protecting families. They have worked for Texas and they can work in California.”

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