The four legislative caucuses have selected their leadership teams for the upcoming 2023-24 legislative session, however which party will control the state House at the beginning of the new year has yet to be determined. In the November General Election, Democrats won a 102 to 101 majority in the House. However, that number will drop to…
News & Updates: Business
Pennsylvania Residents Burdened with Thousands of Dollars Annually for State’s Inefficient Civil Justice System
A new study by the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) has found that Pennsylvania has the 6th highest tort costs in the nation. The report, which analyzed the impact of lawsuit abuse nationally and by state, revealed that in 2020, tort costs reached $443 billion nationally. Tort costs in the Commonwealth totaled nearly $17 billion (representing 2.1…
Exposing the Truth Behind the Venue Argument
For years, plaintiffs’ attorneys in Pennsylvania have argued that the Commonwealth’s medical malpractice venue rule – which held that cases had to be tried in the county in which the alleged incident occurred – prevented their clients from getting justice. They were so persuasive in this argument that the Supreme Court moved to rescind the venue…
Democrats Victorious in High Profile Pennsylvania Races
With higher than usual turnout for a mid-term election, Democrats in Pennsylvania swept the statewide open seats and made significant gains in the state legislature. A breakdown of individual races can be found on the Department of State’s website. Democrat Josh Shapiro handily defeated Republican Doug Mastriano in the gubernatorial race. Shapiro – who ran uncontested in the…
Legislation to be Introduced to Address Venue Rule Rescission
This past August, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upended nearly two decades of legal stability and fairness when it rescinded the state’s medical liability venue rule. The new venue rule once again allows plaintiffs’ attorneys to funnel medical liability cases to high verdict jurisdictions – like Philadelphia – which experts predict will lead to substantial increases in…
PCCJR’s “2022 Election Voter’s Guide” Available Online
With the 2022 General Election just weeks away, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform is pleased to unveil its “2022 Voter’s Guide.” On the ballot this year will be candidates for governor, 203 members of the state House, and half of the Senate (25 members) – as well as the Commonwealth’s entire Congressional delegation and one…