AUSTIN—Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) President Richard J. Trabulsi Jr. today released the following statement regarding Gov. Greg Abbott’s 2017 State of the State speech:

“Texas is a beacon for economic growth because our leadership prioritizes sound principles – including common-sense tort reform – as the bedrock of our economy. As a former attorney and jurist, Gov. Abbott is uniquely aware that the “tort tax” created by unnecessary litigation is a burden on hardworking Texas families and job creators alike. We are pleased that he continues to fight against new and evolving abuses of our courts.

“Hail-related litigation is the worst lawsuit abuse in Texas today, and if left unchecked it will hurt every Texas homeowner through increased property insurance premiums and deductibles, or reduced or lost coverage. We look forward to working with Gov. Abbott and the Legislature to pass a balanced solution that protects Texas homeowners from bad actors – whether that is an insurance company that acts unfairly or an unscrupulous lawyer.”

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