Party lines emerge in Oklahoma tort reform panel

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Lawmakers voted in favor of using a tort reform proposal written by the governor's working group as a starting point for a bill that would make changes to the state's civil

Tuesday, May 18th 2004, 5:39 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Lawmakers voted in favor of using a tort reform proposal written by the governor's working group as a starting point for a bill that would make changes to the state's civil justice system.

A non-legislative panel assembled by Governor Brad Henry and made up of doctors, trial lawyers, the State Chamber, the energy industry and other interested parties has given the committee drafting the plan parts of its work.

A Republican-backed proposal offered by Senator Glenn Coffee was shot down in a committee where Democrats enjoy a slight majority.

Coffee says the working group's plan is not enough to reform the state's civil justice system.

The plan doesn't include caps on non-economic damages or significant changes to Oklahoma laws that allow plaintiffs to sue multiple defendants

Democrat Representative Jari Askins says Henry's draft is only the starting point for negotiations and talks are ongoing.