Post by Logan on Feb 28, 2016 1:47:44 GMT -6
3 Pa. governors push for merit selection of state appeals judges
Saying the reputation and independence of Pennsylvania's appeals courts are at stake, three former governors on Friday urged state legislators to pass a bill that would end the partisan election of judges on the state's three appeals courts.
The former governors - Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker, and Ed Rendell - spoke for about 30 minutes in a statewide conference call to reporters, saying scandals involving justices on the state Supreme Court and the record $16 million donated to candidates running in last year's Supreme Court election underlined the need for change.
"Judges must be independent, and judicial independence is one of the hallmarks of our democracy," Rendell said. "Judges can't be independent if they have to raise that kind of money."
Rendell scoffed at those who advocate the status quo - judges running in partisan elections - compared with the federal system, where judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Read more: www.philly.com/philly/news/20160227_3_Pa__governors_push_for_merit_selection_of_state_appeals_judges.html
Saying the reputation and independence of Pennsylvania's appeals courts are at stake, three former governors on Friday urged state legislators to pass a bill that would end the partisan election of judges on the state's three appeals courts.
The former governors - Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker, and Ed Rendell - spoke for about 30 minutes in a statewide conference call to reporters, saying scandals involving justices on the state Supreme Court and the record $16 million donated to candidates running in last year's Supreme Court election underlined the need for change.
"Judges must be independent, and judicial independence is one of the hallmarks of our democracy," Rendell said. "Judges can't be independent if they have to raise that kind of money."
Rendell scoffed at those who advocate the status quo - judges running in partisan elections - compared with the federal system, where judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Read more: www.philly.com/philly/news/20160227_3_Pa__governors_push_for_merit_selection_of_state_appeals_judges.html