I join with every consumer in the state in applauding Congress and President Bush for their approval of legislation repealing vicarious liability laws throughout the Nation. Because the President signed the federal highway bill, New York State consumers will save $600 when leasing

a car. What’s more, we’ve welcomed back the auto leasing business which was forced from the state by unfair and costly lawsuits that held auto

leasing companies financially responsible for drivers’ actions.

The State Senate passed my legislation repealing New York’s vicarious liability law, but the democrat-controlled Assembly sided with the powerful

New York State Trial Lawyers Association which used it to rake in big bucks for its members. As a result, the leasing business in New York failed and

consumers picked up the cost.

Washington did the right thing. However, in all my years in the State Senate, never before have I needed an act of congress and the support of a president to implement such common sense legislation to save consumers money and keep business in New York.

Owen H. Johnson

Member of the Senate

Chairman, Senate Finance Committee