Politics & Government

(POLL) Simon Blasts Tort Law Changes

The Minnesota House passed four bills on Wednesday that would alter the state's tort laws.

Hopkins and St. Louis Park Rep. Steve. Simon (DFL-District 44A) condemned a series of tort reforms the Minnesota House passed Wednesday.

“These bills make it more difficult to victims of fraud, discrimination, or harassment to seek recourse, and simply line the pockets of corporations and insurance companies,” Simon said in a news release.

Following six-and-a-half hours of debate, the House passed four bills that:

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  • Reduce the statute of limitations from six years to four years,
  • Allow an early appeal to challenge the class-action status of large suits,
  • Limit attorney fees in cases such as wrongful termination or sexual harassment suits in which state law requires attorney fees to be paid.
  • Reduce prejudgment interest rates from 10 percent to 4 percent,

A coalition of businesses and chambers of commerce requested the changes, and Republicans said they will create a better jobs climate in the state.

"We need lawsuit reform in the state of Minnesota to make Minnesota more competitive,'' the Star Tribune quoted House Majority Leader Matt Dean (R-District 52B). "The business community is desperately looking toward the Legislature for a ray of hope.''

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But Simon said Republicans have failed to demonstrate that the bills are necessary.

“Civil litigation has decreased by 40 percent in recent years and the US Chamber of Commerce ranked Minnesota as the eleventh-best business climate relative to litigation,” he said. “There is no evidence that these measures are necessary. In fact, they may be soft on scam artists who rip off everyday Minnesotans.

The bills passed on a largely party line vote. They’ll now go before the Senate.

 


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