As a person who knows what joint and several liability will do to the cost of insurance in this state, this is a great exchange among members of the Democratic assembly caucus:

Currently, there’s a lively debate on joint and several liability language, which some are having trouble comprehending.

“Can you put it in layman’s terms?” Speaker Mike Sheridan asked.

“I’m a non-lawyer and I’ve dumbed it down as far as I can,” said an LFB staffer.

“We need a book ‘Legislating for Dummies,’” Schneider cracked.

Rep. Rob Turner suggested the proposal isn’t “ready for prime time” if the lawmakers are having trouble understanding it.

Pocan said there would be a clearer explanation for lay people handed out to the caucus by Monday.

From Christian Schneider at www.wpri.org/blog/

May be making people who are only 20% at fault for the damages  liable for 100% of the plaintiff’s damages doesn’t make sense to anyone, and even the silver tongue orators of the trial lawyer lobbyists cannot change that fact.  It should be called the “deep pocket rule”–if there is an accident and someone who causes it has “deep pockets” then he/she pays.

I guess they closed the caucus to the press soon thereafter.

You know what else is killing business?  Mandatory Sick Leave!  Talk to Tim Sheehy about it on June 11th at our Social Hour.   Mo’s, 5:30-8:00.  Why not join us?