Illinois State Senate
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Recent News About Illinois State Senate
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No-proof-needed asbestos shake downs will cost jobs
The old proverb encouraging persistence, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again," has apparently become the mantra of personal injury lawyers in Texas. -
Business, trial bar at odds over pending Texas asbestos bills
Blevins A battle between trial lawyers and business leaders is heating up in Austin over two pending bills in the Texas legislature that could affect who could be named as a defendant in a malignant mesothelioma case. -
Attorney, reformers fear pending Texas legislation would reverse asbestos litigation standards
Behrens Two bills pending in the Texas legislature could open the floodgates to mesothelioma plaintiffs with only a minimum amount of exposure to asbestos, said a Washington, D.C., attorney speaking in Austin recently. -
Court rulings usher in new era of patent reform
Paul Janicke A ruling last week by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is the latest in a series of similar rulings that patent professionals believe is swinging the pendulum toward cleaning up frivolous patents and reducing the amount of litigation that results. -
Texas Times: Tax, Borrow and Spend -- Not the Answer
Cornyn (R) As we endure tough economic times, families across Texas are making hard choices and tightening their belts to be able to cover their expenses and provide for their children. -
Patent reform bill works its way through Senate, again
Leahy (D) The Patent Reform Act of 2009 introduced by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is working its way through the Senate after failing to gain approval in either 2005 or 2007. But despite what some claim is progress, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said the bill is not ready for a committee vote, according to published reports. -
Beaumont doctor talks tort reform with Republican lawmakers in Washington
Teuscher Many Republicans in Congress are looking at ways to curb the negative impact of excessive lawsuits on the nation's economy, so a local doctor went to Capitol Hill recently to show them how it can be done "Texas Style." -
Proposed Texas Senate bill would give arbitration enforcement to courts, not arbitrators
Royce West (D) A proposed bill that would invalidate arbitration clauses in many employment contracts has made its way to the Texas Senate Committee on Jurisprudence. -
Capitol Comment: History Shows Big Spending Can Prolong Recession
In one of history's more candid reflections, Henry Morgenthau Jr., Treasury Secretary under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, confessed, "We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work." -
AAJ spokesperson: U.S. Chamber's tort reform efforts are 'wrong'
NEW ORLEANS -- With President George W. Bush out and President Barack Obama in, a spokesperson for America's leading trial lawyers association says things are looking up for the lawsuit industry, but warned the world's largest business federation remains an obstacle. -
Holder promises no Wall Street 'witch hunts'
Eric Holder WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Newly sworn in U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday said he was not planning to zealously pursue corporate America amid public outrage over perceived excess. -
Obama hands trial lawyers a major win
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-In signing his first piece of legislation, U.S. President Barack Obama provided a bonanza for the nation's trial bar, legal reformers say. -
U.S. Senate passes pay equity bill, paving way for flood of lawsuits
Barbara Mikulski (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The first piece of legislation that U.S. President Barack Obama signs into law could be a bill that critics say would be a gift to the nation's trial lawyers. -
Texas Times: Remembering Barbara Jordan
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) This month, Americans in Texas and across the country pay tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. To this day his powerful message on the importance of equality, opportunity and the unique value of every human life continues to inspire generations of Americans. -
Wage legislation called a potential 'bonanza' for trial lawyers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Legislation called a potential "trial lawyer bonanza" by the Wall Street Journal is winding its way through Congress. -
Republican Huffman wins District 17 Senate seat
Joan Huffman (R) In a runoff election Dec. 16, Republican Joan Huffman successfully won the seat to represent District 17 in the Texas Senate. The district includes portions of Jefferson, Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend and Galveston counties. -
Abbott mentioned as possible U.S. Senate candidate
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is being mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed fellow Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison in the U.S. Senate, political observers told Legal Newsline. -
Run off for District 17 Senate seat to be held Tuesday
Joan Huffman (R) Voters in six Southeast Texas counties shouldn't put their voter registration cards away just yet, as who will represent them in Austin in the state Senate has still not been decided. -
Hutchison takes first step towards gubernatorial run
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) AUSTIN �U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Thursday took the first step to run for Texas governor by opening an exploratory committee for a 2010 campaign. -
Abbott targets human trafficking, pushes for tougher laws
Abbott The state's human trafficking laws need to be strengthened so people are not deprived of their basic human rights, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said.