Governor's tort reform bill misses deadline

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A lawsuit reform measure that would have added additional reforms to Oklahoma's legal system has died in the state Senate. <br/><br/>Democratic leaders chose not to bring Governor

Thursday, March 17th 2005, 2:39 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A lawsuit reform measure that would have added additional reforms to Oklahoma's legal system has died in the state Senate.

Democratic leaders chose not to bring Governor Brad Henry's lawsuit reform measure up for a vote.

Democrats said the bill died because of united opposition from Republicans.

Senator Charles Laster says Republicans told ranking Democrats that there was no support.

Failure to get the bill passed before Thursday's deadline on floor action on state Senate bills reduced the chances of enacting tort reform this session.

Senate Minority Leader Glenn Coffee says Republicans preferred a bill by Republican House Speaker Todd Hiett that contained stronger reforms.

Henry's spokesman Paul Sund says Henry was disappointed, but will continue to push his tort reform ideas.