$2M raised by sides in tort revamp issue

Lawyers and doctors spent March padding their respective campaign war chests in an expected fight over a proposed constitutional amendment on lawsuit damages and courtroom rules, and both sides together reported having more than $2 million available to spend at the end of the month.

The campaign over Issue 1 has yet to reach the public eye for most Arkansans. Neither side reported spending money on TV or radio ads last month. Those types of expenditures are likely to wait until after the May 22 primary. Constitutional amendments and other ballot initiatives will be voted on during the Nov. 6 general election.

Issue 1 was placed on the November ballot by lawmakers last year. The proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution would cap the amount of damages juries can award for punitive damages or "pain and suffering," as well as the fees attorneys can charge for winning lawsuits. The proposal would also give the Legislature final say over court rules.

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The caps, which are presented as "tort reform" by supporters, are sought by business and medical groups that say the costs of lawsuits are prohibitive to hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and businesses.

Attorneys, on the other hand, have framed the argument around access to the courts. Because Issue 1 sets a cap on "non-economic" damages of at least $500,000, even in wrongful-death suits, it has been cast as placing a price tag on human lives.

Both sides have been raising money to put out their message ahead of this year's general election.

According to filings with the Arkansas Ethics Commission that were due Monday, the opposing sides raised a combined $464,950 in March alone.

The leading fundraiser, a committee named Protect AR Families that opposes Issue 1, reported raising $282,360 last month, with all but one of its donations coming from attorneys or law firms. The group had nearly $1.18 million available at the end of the month.

The committee supporting Issue 1, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce-backed Arkansans for Jobs and Justice, reported raising $182,590 in the month, and having $995,625 available at the end of it. Walmart contributed $50,000 during the month, as did the Arkansas Hospital Association.

Metro on 04/17/2018