Tort Stays Alive  By: Stan Torgerson By: Stan Torgerson  The
Tort Reform Bill passed by the Senate Friday has been held on a
procedural motion that could lead to more debate on Monday, when
both houses convene at 3 p.m.  The bill caps jury awards in
lawsuits against corporations, and is similar to one killed in a
House panel Thursday. The Senate bill limits punitive damages at
$5 million or three times actual damages.  The Senate version
also caps jury awards for non-economic damages such as pain and
suffering, and death at $500,000. The House bill never contained
caps on lawsuits against corporations.  Despite the differences
between the Mississippi State Senate and the House on Tort
Reform, representative Greg Snowden returned to meridian from
Jackson Friday still hopeful a compromise can be found.
"Actually I think there is," said Snowden. "Yesterday there was
some feeling that probably things were falling apart but today
things are looking up. People are still talking. There's still a
chance."  The legis