Published: July 09, 2009 04:10 pm      

Legal reform vital to W.Va.’s future

Virginia’s latest number one ranking as the most pro-business state for 2009 serves as yet another reminder that West Virginia has much work to do. While our neighbor to the east appears to be weathering the tough economic times, West Virginia continues to struggle. The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that our overall state population remains stagnant, and most of our state’s “largest” cities are losing population.

As your paper’s July 1 editorial (“Number one, again”) correctly notes, it is time for the Mountain State to step up to the plate and take the necessary steps to compete with nearby Virginia. But a glaring contrast remains between the two states’ legal systems. Virginia boasts one of the best legal systems in the nation, while our state courts are routinely ridiculed for a lack of fairness. With little or no cost to the West Virginia taxpayers, our Legislature could easily put us on the path towards more jobs through much needed legal reforms.

Not too long ago, the State of Texas enacted comprehensive legal reforms which ultimately helped the state create more new jobs last year than any other state in the nation. And only months ago, Oklahoma passed comprehensive legal reforms in order to keep up with its neighbor to the south.

A fairer legal environment for West Virginia will help attract jobs while deterring meritless lawsuits.

If we don’t act soon, our state will continue to see a flood of lawsuits coming into our state while jobs and businesses continue to move out.

Richie Heath

executive director

West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

Charleston