For those of you who read the NY Times or want to subscribe
to it in electronic form, you may want to look at:
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/national/class-action-limit.html
"House Approves Bill That Would Make Class-Action Suits Harder
It is a general effort to move class action law suits from state
courts into federal courts. The article comments on efforts
(and contributions by) companies involved in tobacco, guns
and health care to push this legislation forward.
Quotes:
"This represents a sealed, locked, closed and forever impenetrable door
to justice," said Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee, Democrat
to Win"
Other opponents called the bill a form of "backdoor immunity" for tobacco
companies and gun makers.
"Opponents of the legislation said it was outrageous
had left so many Federal judgeships vacant, by failing to confirm White
House's nominees, to be broadly expanding the caseload of an already
overworked Federal judiciary."
{ the rationale being that moving cases from the state courts to the
federal courts would result in their being delayed or simply thrown
out. }
The bill was gnerally supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats.
Robert