Yesterday, the Post reported that Governor Paterson was close to rolling back fees on legal fees from medical malpractice awards. Currently, the law limits "payments at 30% for the first $250,000 in judgments, 25% for the next $250,000, 20% for the following $500,000, 15% for the next $250,000 and, finally, at 10% for amounts over $1.25 million," but the proposal would lift the caps and allow a 33% commission on awards. Today, a Staten Island pediatrician tells the Post, "It's going to drive the premiums up and drive doctors out of the state, where the [insurance] rates are lower and where they can make a decent living," pointing out his premiums have gone up 50% in 10 years. The Post notes that a trial lawyers' lobby donated $2 million to legistlators, plus: "It would generate millions of dollars in windfall earnings for some of the state's most politically influential law firms including Weitz & Luxenberg, where Silver is employed. It would also benefit lawyers at Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, the Long Island firm where Paterson's father, Basil, is a partner."