Poll shows support for candidates in favor of decreasing lawsuits
Sacramento, Calif. – Californians concerned with the state of the state’s economy overwhelmingly support reforms, including legal reform, to help attract more jobs and retain the jobs currently in the state, according to a poll released by California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA).
The poll of 700 registered voters, conducted by Charlton Research Company in late July, showed just how dire the consequences of the recent economy have been to local communities. More than 80 percent of voters surveyed reported that local businesses have laid off employees or closed their doors. More than half believe that there are too many lawsuits in the state and that lawsuits are costing Californians their jobs. California consistently ranks as one of the worst places to do business in the nation.
“We all know that we’re in the middle of the biggest economic crisis of our lifetime,” said David Houston, small business owner and CALA co-chairman. “What this poll shows is that California’s voters strongly support policies – and candidates – that can reform our legal system to keep businesses in California and attract new businesses here.”
In fact, earlier this month the Nevada Development Authority (NDA) launched a $1 million advertising campaign aimed at luring California businesses with Nevada’s “pro-business attitude.” Similar campaigns have already generated 14,500 new jobs and added more than $4.8 billion to Nevada’s economy over the past five years, according to NDA.
“California’s sue-happy environment has a huge impact on consumers and taxpayers,” Houston said. “More than seven in ten people surveyed understand lawsuits raise the prices that consumers pay for goods and services and cost California tax revenue. Now is not the time to add any additional financial burden to California’s citizens or our state and local budgets.”
Our legislature has repeatedly failed to pass common sense legal reforms. The survey demonstrates that voters believe now is the time for legislators to act and they will support candidates who are ready to do so.
According to the survey, voters across California would favor a candidate who wanted to decrease the number of lawsuits against businesses by a margin of more than two-and-a-half to one.
“Californians are understandably angry,” said Lorie Zapf, CALA spokesperson. “They’re getting hit at the store with higher prices, their friends and family members are losing their jobs, their local mom and pop shops are closing, tax revenue is declining, and services are being cut. Adding lawsuits into this mix creates a perfect storm for economic disaster. Our elected officials need to do something to fix this.”
