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Steve Hantler and WV Gov. Manchin |
On
September 2, 2005, Center for America Chairman Steve
Hantler spoke on the importance of legal reform for West
Virginia at the 69th Annual Meeting of the West Virginia State
Chamber of Commerce. Hantler spoke frankly about the
"balancing the needs of both consumers and business" in order to
create a successful business environment for the state.
West Virginia
currently ranks #4 on the American Tort Reform Association's
"Judicial Hellhole" list. It is the only statewide
Hellhole on ATRA's list; however, Governor Joe Manchin and
the legislature have made significant strides to improve the
legal landscape in the past few years. Despite these
substantial efforts in the past year, the state still has a
substantial amount of work ahead in order to be removed from the
list.
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Steve Roberts |
As Hantler commented
in his speech, "The best piece of tort reform legislation
is only as good as the next supreme court that strikes it
down...what business needs from legal reform is predictability
from judges."
Hantler encouraged
the business leaders that were present by focusing on the role
they can play in accomplishing reform by rallying together
in their goals. "Business must speak with one voice - the
business community must find the right balance. In those states
that I've worked in the business community led by Chief
Executive Officers - without CEO leadership, I just don't think
you can effectively do tort reform."
The West Virginia
Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Center for America.
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