FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 27, 2005
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA), California's defenders of Proposition 64, has named leading local businessman David Houston as Chairman of the Board.
A restaurant owner and leading proponent of Proposition 64, the initiative in last November’s election that eliminated frivolous business lawsuits in California, Houston began his career in Los Angeles in 1980 when he purchased Q’s Billiard Club in West Los Angeles. He subsequently bought the famous restaurant Barney’s Beanery and has opened several new Barney’s Beanery restaurants and Q’s Billiard Clubs in Pasadena, Santa Monica and Santa Barbara.
Houston will initially lead CALA’s fight against Proposition 79, the initiative on the November special election ballot that will allow lawyers to file lawsuits every time a prescription is filled in California claiming that the price is “unconscionable” or that profits are “unjust or unreasonable,” without defining any of these terms.
“As a businessman and member of the community, I am outraged that Proposition 79 is trying to make an end run around the will of the people who voted for Proposition 64 to end frivolous lawsuits.” Houston said. “I have been victimized by our out-of-control legal system and I am not alone. Frivolous lawsuits are taking money from every citizen of Los Angeles and I am dedicated to leading the fight to fix this problem.”
The organization also named Peter Bylsma as Executive Director with responsibilities including fundraising and media relations. Bylsma joins CALA from Concentric Communications, a public affairs practice specializing in campaign and organizational management, media relations, writing, strategic planning and events.
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is a nonprofit, grassroots public education organization dedicated to educating consumers on the human and financial costs of lawsuit abuse. The organization has more than 4,000 supporters in the Los Angeles County area. For more information, contact Los Angeles CALA at (310) 795-8532 or maryann@maryannmaloney.com .
