Post by pavel on Mar 29, 2016 1:51:33 GMT -6
Legislative panel to look at proposal to end election of state justices
Another judicial election cycle dominated by a record-breaking amount of out-of-state campaign money has prompted a meeting of the Senate's Judiciary Committee to discuss, among other things, a proposal that would end the election of Arkansas Supreme Court justices and replace it with a merit selection system.
The influx of negative ads and mailers funded by independent spending groups and "dark money" in this year's two Supreme Court races has added momentum, and immediacy, to lawmakers and legal professionals alike who want to change the way justices are added to the Supreme Court.
Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Little Rock, who called the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, is advocating for a proposal long supported by Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, that would create a panel to nominate candidates to fill vacancies and leave the final decision to the governor.
Many states use a similar "merit system" process, and getting a proposal to change the state constitution to voters this fall is imperative, Hutchinson said. Arkansas is one of 21 states that elect their Supreme Court justices, according to the American Bar Association.
Read more: www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/mar/28/legislative-panel-to-look-at-proposal-t/?f=news-arkansas
Another judicial election cycle dominated by a record-breaking amount of out-of-state campaign money has prompted a meeting of the Senate's Judiciary Committee to discuss, among other things, a proposal that would end the election of Arkansas Supreme Court justices and replace it with a merit selection system.
The influx of negative ads and mailers funded by independent spending groups and "dark money" in this year's two Supreme Court races has added momentum, and immediacy, to lawmakers and legal professionals alike who want to change the way justices are added to the Supreme Court.
Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Little Rock, who called the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, is advocating for a proposal long supported by Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, that would create a panel to nominate candidates to fill vacancies and leave the final decision to the governor.
Many states use a similar "merit system" process, and getting a proposal to change the state constitution to voters this fall is imperative, Hutchinson said. Arkansas is one of 21 states that elect their Supreme Court justices, according to the American Bar Association.
Read more: www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/mar/28/legislative-panel-to-look-at-proposal-t/?f=news-arkansas