Holden Criticized For Liability Reform Veto

Governor Bob Holden has followed through on a pledge to veto litigation reform legislation. It was one of 22 bills given the “thumbs down” by the Governor on Wednesday. Representative Richard Byrd of Kirkwood – the House sponsor of the reform bill – says the Governor has put the interests of trial attorneys ahead of anyone else in the state. Byrd and others claim frivolous lawsuits filed by trial attorneys are forcing insurance companies to raise their premiums to ridiculously high levels. That, he says, is forcing some doctors to consider leaving the state or abandoning their specialties.