Tort Hell? Not Alabama

If you have been reading Alabama newspapers over the last ten years, you have read that Alabama is not a business friendly state – that is is “Tort Hell.” Various business and grass roots (their term, not mine) organizations have claimed that we need more tort reform to attract business. If that is the case, there sure are a lot of either naive or ignorant businesses setting up shop in our state.

In today’s Mobile Register, business editor George Talbot paints the true picture:

The old images of Alabama are fading. The state once known for racial intolerance and rural poverty is gaining recognition as a leader for globalization and free trade.

Alabama’s pro-business climate has become a powerful draw for foreign investors. The list includes industrial champions Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Toyota, Airbus and ThyssenKrupp, to name a few.

We have yet to read an explanation for this apparent anomaly. The reason we have not is that Tort Hell is a myth. It is not happening here. Disagree? Show me some statistics to prove your point.