Senator Benoit Appointed to the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Civil Justice Task Force
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 13, 2007

AUGUSTA – Senator Paula Benoit, of Phippsburg, has been appointed to the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Civil Justice Task Force. She and Senator Debra Plowman, of Hampden, will serve as the Maine delegation on the Task Force, which includes legislators and private sector representatives from all over the country.

As a member of the Task Force, Sen. Benoit will play a major role in developing policy ideas that will encourage fairness and predictability in the civil justice system. In the past, the Civil Justice Task Force has promote systematic fairness in the courts through bills to discourage frivolous lawsuits, to fairly balance judicial and legislative authority, and to treat defendants in a consistent manner.

Specific areas the Civil Justice Task Force address include class action reform, health plan liability, rights to appeal and separation of powers. The Task Force develops model legislation to facilitate the implementation of these policies in the states and educates other American Legislative Exchange Council members through Task Force meetings, issue briefings, and special workshops throughout the country.

Sen. Benoit is looking forward to working with the rest of the members on the Civil Justice Task Force. “I don’t believe that a great policy’s success is limited to a single state,” she said. “As a member of this Task Force, I am afforded with a chance to learn from other leaders all over the country, and help craft some quality proposals that will help ensure the rights of citizens all over the country. This is a tremendous opportunity, and I look forward to making the most of it.”

Sen. Benoit represents District 19, which includes Dresden and all of Sagadahoc County. She can be reached in Augusta at 287-1505, in Phippsburg at 389-1382, or by e-mail at jbenoit@suscom-maine.net.

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