The Pennsylvania Senate needs to stop the so-called False Claims Act before it creates even more problems for small businesses across Pennsylvania. This bill might sound like it’s about stopping fraud, but in reality, it’s just another way for trial lawyers to make money, all at the expense of the rest of us.

If this becomes law, lawyers would be allowed to sue businesses “on behalf” of the state. But in most cases, it won’t be about justice. It’ll be about getting a big payout. Even if a small business hasn’t done anything wrong, the threat of a long, expensive lawsuit forces many to settle just to make the problem go away.

Pennsylvania already has one of the worst legal climates in the country. According to the Institute for Legal Reform, we spend nearly $20 billion a year on lawsuit costs. That’s over $3,700 for every household. Adding more lawsuits to the mix will only drive-up costs for health care, goods, and services across the board.

This bill doesn’t fix fraud. It opens the floodgates to more legal abuse and takes dollars away from the state and hardworking families. The only people who win here are trial lawyers.

The Senate should reject this bill before it does real damage to Pennsylvania’s economy.

DICK HARRIS

Stevensville

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom