Richard Weekley

Lawsuit Reform Huge Boost to Texas Economy
Economic study shows reforms have brought billions of dollars to state, created a half million jobs.

(AUSTIN, TX) April 28, 2008 – A new report by nationally recognized economist Ray Perryman shows lawsuit reforms enacted in Texas beginning in 1995 have resulted in $112.5 billion in annual spending in Texas, 499,000 new, permanent jobs and a $2.6 billion increase in state tax revenue giving Texas a resounding competitive advantage in these challenging economic times.

“Lawsuit reform has led to improvements in the Texas business climate that have generated hundreds of thousands of jobs, said Perryman. “Approximately 8.5 percent of Texas economic growth over the past decade is the result of lawsuit reform.” “Lawsuit reform has been good for Texas, bringing fairness and balance to our courts and boosting our economy, creating jobs, spurring business expansion and attracting thousands of new doctors to our state," said. TLR Chairman Richard Weekley.

Lawsuit Reform and the $54 Million Pair of Pants
San Antonio Express-News, June 25, 2007
By Richard W. Weekley

The recent report of a $54 million lawsuit against a family-owned dry-cleaning business over a pair of lost pants was a harsh reminder of the threat of outrageous litigation American businesses, large and small, face every day.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform Outlines 2007 Legislative Agenda
More Effective Civil Justice System Tops List

AUSTIN, Texas, March 1, 2007 -- Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) outlines its 2007 agenda for the Texas Legislature in the feature article "Improving the Effectiveness of Our Civil Justice System" that appears in the February issue of its publication the Advocate. To view the entire publication go to Texans for Lawsuit Reform www.tortreform.com/newsletters.

Dick Weekley: Texas Ranks "Best in the Nation" in Tort Liability Index but Report Shows More Reforms are Needed, May 15, 2006
The Pacific Research Institute (“PRI”) in San Francisco has completed the first “U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2006 Report,” a comprehensive analysis comparing the tort systems of all fifty states. After weighing 39 variables ranging from caps on punitive damages to appeal-bond caps, Texas was ranked best in the nation. Had the study been done before the 2003 tort reforms, researchers say the state would have ranked 26th.

Texas No. 1 in National Tort Liability Study, May 15, 2006
A cutting edge report just released shows that while Texas still has some glaring civil justice problems to address -- most notably the state's notorious "judicial hellholes," Texas tort reforms have strengthened the state's economy in a variety of ways and are improving the quality of life for every Texan.

Governor Hosts Authors of National Tort Liability Index, May 15, 2006
Gov. Rick Perry hosted the authors of a national study that links the tort reforms passed under his leadership to the state's booming economy, job market and business growth.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform Announces PAC Director Departure, Houston Chronicle, April 26, 2006
Richard W. Weekley, Chairman and CEO of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, said, "Matt has been a key to TLR's success. He is conscientious, principled and exceptionally capable. All of us value Matt's contribution to our organization -- he is a person you can count on, no matter how tough the going or how strenuous the effort. We are thankful that Matt has been with us as PAC Director and we look forward to his contributions to the Texas civil justice system as a consultant to Texans for Lawsuit Reform."