FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 23, 2011

Oklahoma Senate Passes Another Bill to Hurt Hardworking Oklahomans

SB863 passed the Senate today. This bill caps non-economic damages in lawsuits to $250,000--thus placing a price on children’s lives and people’s livelihoods.  Todd Goodman, Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, released the following statement on the passage of this bill:

“This should not be a partisan issue. Republicans put on the front that this legislation is pro-business, but at what cost? This detrimentally affects those who are physically injured long term. I want to reiterate what Sen. Laster asked on the floor today: ‘Do you believe that an innocent person who is injured by a non-criminal act and is rendered quadriplegic or paraplegic should have their damages limited by politicians?’ I certainly do not, and this is certainly not smaller government. It’s legislation that again protects the big businesses that don’t need protecting.  I agree with Sen. Burrage that a jury of peers should decide what damages are appropriate, not those who are getting their back pockets padded.  The bill is nothing more than corporate immunity. Businesses can now factor in the cost of losing a child. This is a continuation the Republican assault on honest, hardworking Oklahomans, and hopefully voters will hold their representatives accountable.

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