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The CALA Watchdog
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For Immediate Release – February 26, 2004 Contact:
CANDIDATE SURVEY SHOWS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CIVIL JUSTICE REFORM San Diego - San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) released responses today to a survey of candidates running for state Senate and Assembly in the San Diego area. The results show strong bipartisan support to reform California’s Unfair Competition Law (Business & Professions Code Section 17200). The candidates were asked to respond to several questions on lawsuit abuse and other civil justice reform issues. Specifically, the candidates were asked, "Would you support reform, either through legislation or the initiative process, to stop unscrupulous lawyers who exploit the State’s Unfair Competition Law (Business & Professions Code "17200") to require that an actual victim and proof of harm be shown before a lawsuit can be filed?" All Republican and Libertarian candidates who responded and 50% of all Democrats who responded said "Yes." "We conducted this survey because candidates need to be aware that voters care about the effects of lawsuit abuse on our jobs and our state’s economy," said Andy Kotner, CALA President. "The fact that candidates on both sides of the aisle are in favor of reform speaks to how unfair the abuse of the law is, and how much it needs to be fixed." Currently, California’s Unfair Competition law is the only one of its kind in the nation. It essentially allows private attorneys to act as district attorneys and sue businesses on behalf of "the general public," even without proof of harm, or an actual client. Most small businesses that are targeted with these suits choose to settle instead of endure a long and costly court battle. When they do, the lawyers keep all the money. Kotner also surveyed candidates on a variety of other issue related to the impact of lawsuit abuse and the need for common sense reforms. Responses can be found at CALA’s Web site at (2004 Candidate Surveys). Not all candidates chose to respond to the CALA survey, however, despite repeated requests and extended deadlines. "Considering lawsuit abuse impacts everything from community services to the cost of health care to the prices we pay at the grocery store, I’d think most candidates would want voters to know where they stand on these issues," Kotner says. "And voters deserve to know whether candidates will represent the best interests of all Californians, or the special interests of their campaign contributors. More information on CALA, the candidate survey or how to contact local candidates is available by contacting CALA at (619) 295-6059. CALA is a nonprofit, grassroots public education organization that serves to educate the public on the human and financial costs of lawsuit abuse. CALA does not support or oppose any candidates for elected office. This page was last updated on 04/19/05 © 2000 San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
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