AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott gave his “State of the State” speech last night, addressing an array of issues while frequently touting Texas’ strong economy and what needs to be done in the 87th Legislature to keep it that way.
“Other states like California and New York … use heavy handed tactics that drive away businesses,” Abbott said. “The Texas Legislature, on the other hand, has built a framework that has helped small businesses thrive.”
The state’s success is due in no small part to the Texas Legislature, Abbott says, and this session the governor is asking legislators to get a bill “quickly” to his desk that provides civil liability protections for businesses and healthcare providers that operate safely during the pandemic.
“There’s far more to do to help businesses and their employees - they have gone above and beyond to open and operate safely,” Abbott said. “And yet, those same businesses now face the crosshairs of lawsuits. Texas businesses that have acted in good faith shouldn’t have their livelihoods destroyed by frivolous lawsuits.
“This is an emergency item this session.”
COVID-19 liability protections for businesses that comply with safety protocols are among the top legislative priorities for Texans for Lawsuit Reform this session.
“Gov. Abbott’s State of the State address charts a clear course for economic and job growth as our state works to recover from the pandemic,” said TLR Senior Chairman Richard Weekley. “We applaud the governor for highlighting the very real threat abusive and unnecessary COVID-19-related litigation presents for the wellbeing of Texas families and our economy.”
Curtailing abusive commercial vehicle litigation is another top priority for TLR this session.
“Whether they relate to COVID-19 as the governor outlined, or target commercial vehicle operators as we have seen across the state, abusive lawsuits make the goods and services we need more expensive and harder to get, they kill job growth and they slow investment in our communities,” Weekly said. “We thank the governor for his leadership and hope the Texas Legislature will take quick action to address all forms of abusive litigation this session.”