“Florida has become a magnet for lawsuit abuse, and that reputation is hurting the state’s ability to attract new jobs and business investment,” said Tom Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “Governor Bush’s proposed reforms would help to balance the scales of justice in Florida, and transform the state into a magnet for new jobs and business investment.”

The comprehensive legal reform package proposed by Governor Bush includes: elimination of joint and several liability; reform of the state’s outdated venue rules; class action and asbestos lawsuit reform; and enhancement of witness standards.

The Governor’s announcement comes a week after the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) released its Harris Interactive 2005 State Liability Systems Ranking Study, which showed Florida ranked 42 in legal fairness, having dropped nine places in the last three years.

“Governor Bush is acting in the best interests of Florida’s employers, consumers and working families by proposing these much-needed reforms to the state’s broken legal system,” continued Donohue. “The Florida legislature should act swiftly to pass these reforms that would make the state’s legal system simpler, fairer and faster for everyone.”

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.

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