I have been involved in the fight to end lawsuit abuse for quite some time and grassroots supporters always ask me whether meeting, calling, or writing to their legislators will make a difference. With all the talk of special interest influence and the effect of campaign contributions, it is easy to understand why individual citizens might question if their voice will make a difference.
The answer to that question is clear: yes, the voices of grassroots supporters of lawsuit reform can make a difference. We saw evidence of that this week, when members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee considered critical bills to curb “shakedown” lawsuits alleging violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
Prior to the hearing, CALA supporters sent more than 1,000 letters to their elected officials in support of these reforms. Your voices have changed the debate on this topic. It used to be a question of “whether” reform should be passed to stop these outrageous shakedown ADA lawsuits. Now it is a question of “when.”
The debate will continue on this issue, and knowing that CALA supporters are fired up about passing these reforms gives me more confidence than ever that we can stop these abusive lawsuits.
Thank you for taking the time to stand up and be heard. The fight is not over and we still have a ways to go, but the response this past week was unparalleled.