Tort reform bills pass House committee

Chris Graham

The Virginia House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee cleared a major tort reform package on Monday, sending six pieces of legislation to the floor of the House of Delegates for final approval. The legislative package represents a major compromise between the business, medical and legal communities and will make significant changes to key areas of Virginia’s tort laws. The measures will help reduce costly and unnecessary lawsuits, streamline the litigation process, protect the integrity of the tort system and reduce legal costs for Virginia businesses.

Ken Plum: A breach of trust

Ken Plum

In a Tom DeLay, Texas-style move, Republicans in the Virginia State Senate redrew the legislative district lines without public notice or involvement. This action in the 20-20 divided body came on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday when Democratic Senator Henry Marsh, who is one of Virginia’s most prominent civil rights leaders, was away attending President Obama’s inauguration.