The list of candidates that will appear on the ballot for governor and U.S. Senate in the upcoming May Primary Election has been finalized. The 2022 election cycle features open races for both positions. The deadline for candidates to file their petitions with the Pennsylvania Department of State was last week. In the gubernatorial race, current state…
Coalition Updates
Governor Proposes Spending Increases in Final Budget Plan, Legislative Republicans Concerned Over Steep Price Tag
Earlier this week, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his final budget proposal before a joint session of the state House and Senate. The $43.7 billion plan includes a 16.62 percent increase in state spending over the current fiscal year. As with his previous budget proposals, the bulk of the governor’s spending requests would go toward education and…
Health Provider, Physicians Targeted in Suit Over Delays in Medical Treatment Due to COVID-19
A lawsuit has been filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Federal Court against Wellpath Care and physicians alleging harm from delays in medical treatment due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wellpath delivers medical, mental, and behavioral healthcare services to patients located in inpatient and residential treatment facilities, civil commitment centers, and local, state, and federal correctional…
PCCJR Joins Coalition Opposing ALI’s Proposed Restatement of Consumer Contracts Law
The Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) joined a broad coalition last week in urging the American Law Institute (ALI) to not approve a proposed Restatement of the Law for Consumer Contracts. The proposed changes would recommend a different set of legal rules to govern contracts between a business and a consumer. By way of…
PCCJR Opposes Attempt to Quintuple Damage Amounts in Consumer Litigation
Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) opposed an effort in the state House to significantly increase the minimum award amount for violations of the Unfair Trade Practices Act/Consumer Protection Law. The proposal was brought forth in an amendment to H.B. 1594. The amendment would have raised the minimum amount that can be awarded from…
Institute for Legal Reform Unveils List of “Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2021”
Frivolous lawsuits over candy, coffee, butter, and funny videos all made the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) list of the “Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2021.” Taking the top spot was a suit filed against the candy Tootsie Rolls claiming they “are unhealthy because the candy has sugar and trans fats.” In a press…