We would have to agree with Sen. Terry Burton of Newton. We,too, are flabbergasted that members of the House committee studyingtort reform feel they need more time before they can decide thebest way correct Mississippi’s civil justice laws.

Lawmakers gave themselves until August 30 to reach an agreementon tort reform proposals. They have been holding hearings sinceMay! Despite the hours of testimony from both sides of the issue,House members say they just are not sure what to do.

On the Senate side of the committee, members have gone to workand come to an agreement on items to address in the special sessionGovernor Musgrove has promised to call.

Meanwhile across the state, health care is in a crisis as moreand more doctors are giving up or limiting their practice out offear of being sued by the patients they treat. Small businessowners are living in fear of losing their investment and livelihoodover frivolous lawsuits.

We do not understand the foot-dragging by House members –hearings have been held, people from both sides of the issue havespoken and now it is time for action. The Senate side of thecommittee is ready; the House side, which is dominated by triallawyers, is not!

The clock is ticking and our legislative leaders are chargedwith the responsibility to find a solution to the problem. Senatemembers have acted, now it is time for House members to do thesame.

We have heard enough finger pointing and posturing. It is timefor the committee to find an agreement and the governor to call aspecial session.