Public Liability, Public Safety, Common Sense
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The commentary by state Sen. Marion Bergeson, “Public Liability and Public Safety” (July 27), goes a long way to dispel the image projected by a large number of our state legislators.
Her appeal to common sense in the face of the highly organized California Trial Lawyers Assn. and soft-headed juries who still don’t know there is no free lunch, is indeed refreshing. In contrast to so many politicians who simply respond to the demands of special-interest groups or whoever has made the largest campaign contribution, this public servant has set out to fulfill the mandate she received when the voters of her district sent her to Sacramento. She sponsored legislation (Senate Bill 1694) designed to protect municipalities from the tort sharks of the Trial Lawyers Assn.
The public deplores the fact that liability insurance premiums have soared beyond the reach of most communities, resulting in the denial of many recreational and other vital services normally provided. Yet when a statesman-like piece of legislation is presented, clearly in the public interest, it is shouted down by the politicians of Sacramento at the prompting of the special-interest California Trial Lawyers Assn.
A sad commentary on the state of our Legislature.
CHARLES C. BENNETT
Huntington Beach
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