Farm Bureau supports proposition 64 as sensible legal reform

» September 2, 2004 «

The California Farm Bureau Federation board of directors has endorsed an initiative to stop "shakedown" lawsuits against small businesses. The initiative will appear as Proposition 64 on California's Nov. 2 ballot.

Proposition 64 closes a loophole that allows private lawyers to file "unfair business competition" lawsuits, even when no injury or loss is alleged. The initiative would allow such lawsuits only if actual losses have been suffered, or if pursued by government prosecutors on the public's behalf.

"Proposition 64 will protect individuals and businesses from frivolous, unfair lawsuits," California Farm Bureau President Bill Pauli said. "As small-business owners, farmers have consistently supported sensible reform of our legal system.

"The loophole in current law allows trial lawyers to act as bounty hunters, extorting legal settlements from small businesses," Pauli said. "California is the only state in the nation that provides trial lawyers with this loophole. That is not a distinction to be proud of.

"Proposition 64 enhances consumer laws while protecting people from abusive, shakedown lawsuits," he said. "We urge a 'yes' vote on Proposition 64."

The California Farm Bureau Federation is the largest farm organization in the nation's No. 1 farm state. The state's farms and ranches generate $27.5 billion in on-farm crop sales annually and support more than 1 million California jobs.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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